Lesya Ukrainka Monument Inaugurated in Hungary
On February 25, 2024, marking the 155th anniversary of the poet's birth, the first statue of the celebrated Ukrainian writer Lesya Ukrainka was unveiled in the Hungarian city of Hódmezővásárhely. This bust is the tenth monument to her installed outside Ukraine, not counting commemorative plaques. The ceremony was attended by diplomats, local officials, the poet's relative Ariadna Bartai, and representatives of the Ukrainian community. Lesya Ukrainka is a towering figure in Ukrainian literature, known for her powerful poetry and plays that often carried national and feminist themes.
The sculptural composition was crafted by masters from the Zakarpattia region, with the bronze bust cast in Uzhhorod. The pedestal is made of volcanic tuff. The installation was made possible through an agreement between Ukraine's Ambassador to Hungary, Fedor Shandor, and the city's mayor, Péter Márki-Zay. Funding was provided by Ukrainian patrons, with coordination handled by the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary.
Future Plans for Cooperation
Also present at the event was the deputy mayor of Vynohradiv, who announced plans for a partnership agreement between Vynohradiv and Hódmezővásárhely. The primary goals of the agreement are:
- Facilitating rest and recreation for Ukrainian children in Hungary
- Promoting sports development
- Other social initiatives
The event program featured performances by Taras Yanytsky, a Merited Artist of Ukraine, bandurist, and singer, as well as children from a Ukrainian-Hungarian bilingual school in Budapest, who recited poetry in both Ukrainian and Hungarian.
Furthermore, on March 8, 2024, the square will host March Readings dedicated to Taras Shevchenko's birthday. The unveiling of the Lesya Ukrainka monument is a significant event for the Ukrainian community in Hungary and a symbol of cultural exchange between the two nations. This cultural diplomacy occurs amidst a complex political relationship between Ukraine and Hungary.
The inauguration of the Lesya Ukrainka monument in Hungary underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting it among Ukrainians abroad.
It also highlights the activity of the Ukrainian community in Hungary, which strives to maintain its traditions and language. The planned partnership agreement between Vynohradiv and Hódmezővásárhely opens new avenues for cooperation in social initiatives, which may help strengthen ties between Ukraine and Hungary.