Modern generations cannot change history, but they can adequately honor the memory of all the victims, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at the opening of the Ukraine 30. Humanitarian Policy forum in Kyiv on Tuesday, commenting on the development of National Historical Memorial Preserve Babyn Yar.
“Babyn Yar is a terrible symbol of the Holocaust on our Ukrainian land. We cannot get rid of it, but we can win by honoring the memory of all victims, all those who died. The issue of historical justice is very acute. We are responsible to all past and all future generations for the historical justice,” he said.
The president said that during the Second World War, 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews were executed, and about 100,000 people in Babyn Yar.
“We have no right to forget about it and we will not forget. It is extremely important for Ukraine worthy, high-level honoring of all the victims of this tragedy,” he said.
Zelensky said that at the end of 2020 he signed a decree on measures concerning the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy and additional measures for the further development of National Historical Memorial Preserve Babyn Yar. In particular, the construction of the territory of this reserve continues, new facilities have been created, invitations have been sent out and many foreign guests are expected to attend events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy, which will take place in September 2021.
“Our duty is to make Babyn Yar a place of memory, not a place of oblivion. There should not be a shooting gallery or any other complex. We, as a state, strive to make this place worthy of the memory of more than 100,000 victims of the Holocaust. It is very important that these aspirations are shared by our community. I am sure that all Ukrainians share,” he said.
