Poland and Ukraine have common heroes. 17 people deserving of our nations

Poland and Ukraine share a history intertwined with common heroes, individuals whose contributions merit recognition through joint monuments. A proposal has emerged suggesting 17 prominent figures who have served both nations, intended as inspiration for the creation of a National Pantheon.

This initiative comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity between the two countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks on Ukraine's Constitution Day, emphasizing national self-determination in honoring heroes, were perceived in Poland as confrontational. This perception was amplified by a dispute over the honoring of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and Poland's decision to revoke an award given to Zelenskyy.

The resulting diplomatic friction has led to a series of unfriendly actions. Several prominent politicians on both sides have resigned from honors they received, and Zelenskyy symbolically boycotted the URC 2026 conference in Gdansk. These events highlight the challenges in navigating shared history amidst contemporary political disagreements.

The article suggests that figures like Jerzy Giedroyc could be among the 17 individuals honored in a potential Polish-Ukrainian National Pantheon. The ongoing debate underscores the complex relationship between historical memory and present-day political realities for both nations.

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Nobody and never will dictate to us how to live, how to speak, whom to love, whom to be grateful to, and whom heroes to respect.