On January 1, Lviv held a ceremonial opening of a street named in honor of Iryna Farion, a prominent linguist, public figure, and politician. Located in the city’s Halytskyi district, the street stretches from Mateyko Street to the junction of Ustyianovycha and Bibliotechna Streets. Previously, it was known as Tekhnichna Street.
The renaming commemorates Iryna Farion, whose legacy embodies the struggle for the revival of the Ukrainian language and national consciousness.
Importance of the Event
During the ceremony, Deputy Head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Kulepin highlighted Farion’s impact:
“This event recognizes a person who dedicated her life to asserting the Ukrainian language as a vital part of our national identity. During challenging times, she was at the forefront of this cultural battle. Her name will forever remain in the history of Lviv and Ukraine.”
City officials, activists, and residents attended the event, honoring her memory.
Symbolism of the Street
Farion’s daughter, Sofia Osoba, expressed gratitude for the recognition:
“This event is deeply meaningful for us, especially as it takes place on Stepan Bandera’s birthday, a figure my mother greatly admired. This street connects two universities: Lviv Polytechnic, where she taught, and Ivan Franko National University, where she studied. It holds great symbolic value for our family.”
She added:
“As my mother used to say, we need ‘Banderization.’ I’ll add: now, we need ‘Farionization.’”
About Iryna Farion
Iryna Farion (April 29, 1964 – July 19, 2024) was a distinguished linguist, political figure, and educational advocate. From 2012 to 2014, she served as a member of Ukraine’s Parliament for the Svoboda party, leading the Higher Education Subcommittee. In 2019, she launched the intellectual and cultural TV project “Gene of Ukrainians,” which produced 130 episodes.
Iryna Farion passed away on July 19, 2024, after an assassination attempt, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy.