Celebrating the 353rd Birth Anniversary of Hetman Pylyp Orlyk: Symbol of Ukraine’s European Aspirations
In the capital of Ukraine, a solemn event took place to commemorate the 353rd anniversary of the birth of one of Ukraine’s most prominent historical figures — Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host, Pylyp Orlyk.
This significant occasion gathered historians, researchers, and civic activists to honor the memory of a person who has become a symbol of Ukrainian nationhood and Europe’s orientation.
Opening the ceremony, the head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, Oleksandr Alfiorov, delivered a speech emphasizing Orlyk’s role as a key figure in Ukrainian statehood, laying the foundations for independence and advocating for Ukraine’s European path.
According to him, Orlyk is not just a historical character but also a symbol of modern aspirations for democratic and independent future, highly relevant today.
A notable highlight of the event was a mention of current wartime sacrifices, notably the death of Roman ‘Orlyk’ Oryshchenko, one of the prominent leaders of the Plast organization.
This served as a reminder that the fight for freedom continues to this day.
Alfiorov stressed that remembering Orlyk helps overcome stereotypes imposed by Moscow’s narrative and returns us to authentic historical truth, as this Hetman was a man of his epoch — educated, progressive, and a true European.
His activities opposed Russian imperialism and aimed to unite European nations against a common eastern threat.
Besides his political and military endeavors, Orlyk left a profound intellectual legacy — he knew several languages, engaged in philosophy, history, poetry, and rhetoric, embodying the spirit of an enlightened and progressive Ukrainian elite of his time.
This event serves as a reminder to modern Ukrainians about the importance of national history and the multifaceted personality of Orlyk, who continues to inspire the struggle for independence, democracy, and European values today.