In Lviv, on Angels Square near the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the “Columns of Remembrance” installation has been unveiled. It already bears more than 2,000 names of service personnel who died defending Ukraine and are buried within the Lviv community. The list of names will continue to be expanded.
The installation consists of three columns bearing the names of fallen male and female defenders. The project was created by Ukrainian sculptor Vasyl Odrekhivskyi. In his conception, the “Columns of Remembrance” are meant to serve as a reminder that the story of the war is not yet over and of the high price of Ukrainian independence.
“It is a minimalist architectural form dedicated to the memory of our Heroes. A person steps inside this space and finds themselves surrounded by the names of those who gave their lives for our independence. When viewed from a distance, the installation resembles the Ukrainian trident. Inside, there is light directed towards the sky” — Vasyl Odrekhivskyi
The unveiling of the installation was attended by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. He stressed that behind each of the more than two thousand names stands an individual and their family, and that the city has a duty to remember everyone who gave their life for Ukraine’s independence.
The Director of the European Youth Capital Office of the Lviv City Council, Tetiana Kozhokar, highlighted the symbolic nature of the installation’s location. Angels Square is situated next to the Garrison Church, where Lviv bids farewell to fallen Defenders. She noted that in wartime it is especially important to create spaces of remembrance that remind us of the people thanks to whom Ukrainians can live and build a future.
The “Columns of Remembrance” are a temporary and mobile installation. In future, it is planned to move it between different locations in Lviv, expanding the space for commemorating the fallen in the city. The list of names on the columns will be constantly updated and supplemented.
The installation was unveiled on the eve of Ukraine’s Independence Day. This year, the state marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Independence, and in Lviv, from 23 to 25 August, ceremonial, cultural, artistic and educational events are taking place, many of which are dedicated to Ukrainian service personnel and to the memory of fallen Defenders.