Fallen Ukrainian soldiers of World War I honored in Slovenia

The memory of Ukrainian soldiers killed in World War I were honored by representatives from numerous Ukrainian communities that are based in Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Croatia, gathering in what is now Slovenia. 

An account of the event was shared by the Ukrainian Cultural Society of Hungary. Ukrainians visited the sites of four memorials that hold the graves of soldiers who died in fierce battles along the Isonzo River. In the towns of Bovec and Nova Gorica, along with local mayors, the delegations laid flowers and held joint prayers in memory of the fallen Ukrainians, Hungarians, and Slovenians of that great conflict.

The Ukrainian Cultural Society in Hungary commented how, “we once again felt significant support for Ukraine and an understanding of its current struggle against the Russian aggressor. It has been 110 years since the start of World War I and a decade of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The world has yet to draw the correct lessons from history. Empires that started wars all ended in their collapse. We hope that will be the case again.” 

On behalf of the Ukrainian World Congress and the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations, Jaroszlava Hartyányi expressed her gratitude to Andriy Hevko, Head of the Ukrainian Cultural Society “Ljubljana — Kyiv,” and to the mayors of Slovenian towns for their determination to preserve the memory of Ukrainian soldiers and for supporting Ukraine in its fight against the present Russian aggression.

“We accomplished our mission.  Beyond visiting the memorials, we drew attention through the local press to Russia’s attempts to appropriate Ukrainian history, privatize European historical heritage, and most importantly, to the fact that Russia’s plans have not changed in 110 years. Great respect to all the fighters for Ukraine! Sincere thanks to Father Pavlo for the prayer and to Ulyana Molnar for the beautiful singing!” declared Yaroszlava Hartyányi.

The commemorations were attended by the Ukrainian community of Hungary, led by the Head of the WFUPU and Second Vice-President of the UWC, Yaroszlava Hartyányi, the Ukrainian community in Slovenia, led by the Head of the Slovenian-Ukrainian Cultural Society “Ljubljana — Kyiv,” Andriy Hevko, and representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine in Slovenia. 

The delegation was also joined by Ukrainians from Northern Italy (from the cities of Trieste and Udine), the President of the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Society “Kobzar,” Slavko Burda from Croatia, and members of the Ukrainian Association “ALPE — ADRIA.”