In Horodok, a memorial plaque was installed to Ivan Rusin, a dissident, a member of the 1960s movement, a long-term political prisoner
“He was one of those who dared to say a word of defense for Ukrainians in terrible times, when everything Ukrainian was destroyed in spirit and meaning,” said the writer Roman Horak, talking about our fellow countryman. It was he who initiated the establishment of the table. And with the help of the head of the community, Volodymyr Remenyak, the plan was realized.
A memorial about a person involved in the history of the creation of our independence is placed on the facade of the Horodotskyi NEC No. 2. It was here from 1948 to 1954 that our compatriot studied, who became a symbol of an indomitable revolutionary.
The honor of opening the plaque fell to the laureate of the National Award named after T. Shevchenko to Roman Horak and Petrov Prodyvus. The rite of consecration of the table was performed by Fr. Tarasii Tsikalo.
Our compatriot from the small village of Burtal earned his life to perpetuate his memory in the memorial table. Ivan did not call himself a hero, did not write great treatises, appeal articles, but was one of those brave people who spread these things, awakening people’s national consciousness. Organized protest actions. And the inhuman Soviet system “paid” with Mordovian camps, imprisonment, persecution…
The event, which was moderated by the director of the gymnasium, Irena Trityak, was attended by representatives of the authorities, the intelligentsia, people who knew Ivan Rusyn personally, and students of the Horodotskyi Secondary School No. 2.
A commemorative plaque is a recognition of our history. We need to know that no one else imposes their false versions, narratives…
By the way, Ivan Rusyn left behind a book of memories “Slave’s Journeys”. This is not just his personal story, but the story of one of the brilliant constellation of sixties who had to stand before the Soviet court twice, and the second time – on fabricated criminal charges. This is testimony about friends of the sixties, Panas Zalivakha, Yevhen Sverstyuk, Alla Gorska, Ivan Svitlychny, as well as about our enemies, the Kagebists. This book is about how an intelligent Ukrainian preserves his own and national dignity by opposing the system.
Roman Horak is preparing a book about Ivan Rusyn. So we will know even more about the iconic people of our region.