Why This Matters to Us
The history of the UPA is not just a page of the past - it influences how we think about hospitality, service and culture.
Hospitality as a profession grows out of service: the ability to put someone else above yourself, understand their needs and respect their dignity.
It was these values that the Ukrainian insurgents preserved - they gave their lives for our nation’s right to live by its own laws, speak its native language and build its own culture .
When we work in the hotel and restaurant business, we can apply this experience: treat service not as an imposed form, but as an expression of love for people and country.
Thus, recalling the heroes of the past is not about nostalgia; it is about the fact that cultural memory nourishes modern industries and helps us to be genuine.
Why Iryna Farion Deserves the Title Hero of Ukraine
In July 2024 Iryna Farion - a well‑known linguist, Doctor of Philology, professor at the National University “Lviv Polytechnic” and former member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 1 was tragically killed.
The Lviv Regional Council appealed to the President of Ukraine to award her the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously), emphasising her long‑term work in Ukrainian studies, her numerous scientific achievements and her educational and socio‑political activities aimed at defending the Ukrainian language and identity .
A petition initiated by citizens collected more than 25 000 signatures and noted that through her work Iryna Farion consistently strengthened the position of the state language and made a significant contribution to preserving Ukrainian statehood amid cultural and informational expansion by the Russian Federation .
Arguments in Favour of Recognition
- Long‑standing academic and teaching activity. As a Doctor of Science and professor, Farion trained hundreds of specialists and popularised the Ukrainian language in the academic environment.
- Civic stance. She consistently advocated compliance with language legislation, fought against Russification and defended the rights of Ukrainian‑speaking citizens.
- Contribution to national security. Protecting the state language and cultural uniqueness is a key element of a state’s resilience in a hybrid war; this is exactly what the authors of the petition and the appeal stressed.
- Public support. More than 25 000 signatures on the petition and the decision of the Lviv Regional Council demonstrate a broad societal consensus about recognising her contribution.
- Symbolic continuity. Awarding the title Hero of Ukraine to Iryna Farion would underline the connection between generations of fighters, from the commanders of the UPA to today’s defenders of cultural identity.
We Remember and Act
The stories of UPA heroes and the figure of Iryna Farion remind us that our freedom is founded on the strength of words, culture and service.
For those working in the hotel and restaurant sector, these examples are important: they teach us that service is not just about comfort, but also about respect for our history and for the people around us.
Honouring the heroes of the past and today’s defenders of language and culture creates a common foundation for the future, where hospitality becomes a continuation of national character.
By remembering the deeds of those who created the UPA and by recognising Iryna Farion’s merits, we are building Ukrainian hospitality on firm values - respect, dignity and love for our people.
