The Irshava Museum Institute: A Banner of Ukrainian Sovereignty
During my stay, I made new friends—among them, Andriy Svitlinec, the director of the institute. He is a passionate historian who has turned his life’s calling into a profession. His family’s roots run deep in this region—his ancestors were heroes, and so is he.
Andriy and his team refuse to surrender their country to the aggressor. Instead, they fight using the tools they know best: culture, history, and community engagement.
Andriy’s Words on Their Mission
“In our spare time, we try to contribute something useful to our Victory.
Adults make trench candles and paraffin fire starters.
Students create amulets, souvenirs, and paintings.
One of our recent projects was making camouflage nets.
We are working for our victory.”
A Cultural Stronghold the Enemy Fears
The Irshava Institute stands for everything the aggressor despises: a confident nation, deeply rooted in history, preserving its identity across generations. That, I’ve come to understand, is the core mission of the institute.
It safeguards symbols, traditional dress, stories, local customs, historical knowledge, and life-worthy examples. It passes down the skills and crafts of the region. It is hard to list everything the institute holds—but it is the social glue that keeps civil society alive.
Why This Matters
We see clearly in Russia: when civil society is erased, a dictatorship faces no resistance. Such regimes destroy nations in ways that are hard to recover from.
But where civil society thrives, it can uphold justice, hold power accountable, and even alter the course of history when limits are crossed.
Falling under dictatorship is unfortunately not rare in today’s world. That’s why a vocal, active civil society—one that cares, helps, and refuses to be indifferent—is the last line of defense when all else fails. Its role is irreplaceable and immensely powerful.
A Weapon of the Heart
The networks of trust and cooperation that these community institutions build foster a willingness to help—not just individuals, but the whole nation.
What begins as goodwill becomes a moral obligation, driven by conscience, heart, and patriotism.
This is a national treasure—and a formidable weapon.
As long as Ukraine preserves this spirit, no defeat can stop it from eventually winning.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
Слава Україні! Героям Слава!
