Memorials

One of the features of Ukrainian cities is the memorial. Not the carved granite kind (although they are there), but the kind that develops spontaneously through the actions of individuals.  

Maidan square in Kyiv is almost sacred for Ukrainians. It is a broad open space in the middle of Kyiv surrounded by government buildings. It is where the country proclaimed its independence from the Soviet Union and it is the site of subsequent waves of protest that brought about the liberation of the Ukraine from Russian control. It is also the site of a large memorial to Ukrainian martyrs. You can find portraits of those who died in the revolutions, but those are now overwhelmed by photographs of soldiers who have been killed. Those photographed are almost always dressed in military uniforms and small Ukrainian flags. Sadly, there are thousands of photographs in this memorial.

There are memorials in many cities. In Mykolaiv, they are near the base of the Ukrainian Southern Command building which was struck the first night of Russia’s 2022 assault. It is similar to the memorial in Maidan square, but with extra space allocated for expansion. Unfortunately that will probably be filled.

There are many other reminders of the war. Certainly, the scars on many buildings are visible. You can see occasional veterans who were physically wounded and are missing an arm or leg. Those with invisible, psychological wounds are less apparent, but they are certainly there. But all of these are types of memorials as well.

A memorial is something that keeps a memory alive. Something that honors those affected. Something that reminds us of the cost. Something that contributes to the collective resolve so that this shouldn’t happen again.  Please pray for the people of the Ukraine so that the need for memorials will end.