Ukrainian installation honors fallen defenders in New York
New York honors fallen Ukrainian defenders (Photo: Teresa Ostapenko)
A “Table of Remembrance” installation honoring Ukrainian defenders who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom and independence was set up in New York’s Union Square on Aug. 29, Ukraine’s Day of Remembrance of Defenders.
The installation was organized by the Ukrainian nonprofit Svitanok.
A set table featuring an embroidered rushnyk, sunflowers and photographs of fallen Ukrainian servicemembers created a symbolic place of remembrance in the heart of New York City.
An empty seat at the table represented those whose lives were taken by the war and who will never return home.
“We placed the Table of Remembrance in one of New York’s busiest locations so that the memory of Ukrainian defenders would be present not only within the Ukrainian community, but also in the public space of an American city,” said Sofiia Klymyshyn, head of Svitanok’s creative department.
“Over four hours, around 500 people interacted with the installation: they read the stories, looked at the photographs and learned more about those who gave their lives for Ukraine. It is important to us that the world knows their stories and understands the price of freedom.”
The installation combines the American Missing Man Table tradition, which honors servicemembers who were killed or remain missing, with the Ukrainian tradition of leaving a symbolic place at the family table in memory of the dead, Svitanok said.
The Table of Remembrance initiative was founded in Ukraine in 2023 by Mariia Hrabar, wife of fallen Ukrainian defender Illia Hrabar.
Since then, symbolic installations have been set up in Ukraine and abroad every Aug. 29, Ukraine’s Day of Remembrance of Defenders.
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