Government Backs Monument to Ivan Mazepa in Kyiv; Cultural Ministry and City Hall to Launch Design Competition

Lack of Monuments Honoring Prominent Ukrainian Figures

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Kyiv still lacks full-scale monuments dedicated to key Ukrainian historical figures such as Ivan Mazepa, Symon Petliura, and Pavlo Skoropadskyi. This absence highlights the underrepresentation of the country’s struggle for independence and the restoration of Ukrainian statehood in the 20th century within the capital. The statue of Vladimir Lenin, once prominently displayed in central Kyiv, was removed only in December 2013 after the Euromaidan Revolution. Today, Kyiv’s public monuments include those of Volodymyr the Great, Yaroslav the Wise, Petro Sahaidachnyi, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, and Pylyp Orlyk.

The issue of missing monuments to pivotal Ukrainian personalities has been raised at the highest levels of government. As Alexander Alfiorov pointed out:

“Do you have the courage to erect a monument to Petliura? To Mazepa? To Skoropadskyi? We ask about other cities, we wonder why Catherine II still stands in Odesa… So stop being soft and honestly answer this question.” – Alexander Alfiorov

Additionally, Ukraine currently lacks a National Pantheon for reburial of distinguished Ukrainians who died abroad. Kyiv also does not yet have a single, large-scale memorial complex dedicated to fallen Ukrainian soldiers, despite over a decade of conflict with Russia. Efforts to decolonize Kyiv’s urban landscape have faced resistance and delays from local authorities.

Plans for a Monument to Ivan Mazepa

In late September 2026, the government officially endorsed the plan to erect a monument to Ivan Mazepa on Taras Shevchenko Boulevard. The Ministry of Culture, the State Agency for Arts and Arts Education, and Kyiv City State Administration will organize a competition to select the best design for the monument. This initiative was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 28, 2026, during the 30th anniversary celebrations of Ukraine’s Constitution at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

Alexander Alfiorov further emphasized:

“Lenin’s statue stood here until December 2013. Mothers would bring their children, and the children would ask: Who is this? He never set foot here, initiated repressions, destroyed Ukrainian statehood – and the answer was: let it stand. Now, the capital has no monuments to these three key figures, and what are we talking about?” – Alexander Alfiorov

These remarks echo a growing public sentiment about the urgent need to honor Ukraine’s historical leaders. Erecting a monument to Ivan Mazepa represents a meaningful step in the ongoing process of decolonization and reclaiming Ukrainian history. This move reflects an increasing demand to recognize those who significantly shaped national identity. Monuments to such figures can also symbolize the revival of national memory and help deepen young generations’ understanding of Ukraine’s past.

As the government moves forward with the design competition for the monument to Ivan Mazepa, it’s worth noting that Lviv recently showcased its commitment to cultural remembrance with the debut of the light and sound art installation honoring Ivan Vakarchuk. This initiative reflects a broader trend in Ukraine to celebrate its historical figures and address the gaps in public memory.