On Tuesday, May 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, together with representatives of the Ukrainian diplomatic service, local authorities of Tarnów, Polish institutions and the public, solemnly unveiled a memorial plaque on a building in the Polish city of Tarnów, where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ukrainian People's Republic operated from 1920.
The building, a former hotel named "Zoldinger", housed the centre of Ukrainian diplomacy in exile. The Hotel Bristol at 9 Krakowska Street served as the seat of the UPR Government and the Headquarters of Otaman Symon Petliura.
"Tarnów is history. There are many sites of national memory here that must be reclaimed, restored and honoured. For this is not only about the past, but also about the future. Yesterday, Plast scouts were present at our ceremony, and that was extraordinarily symbolic. We came to the past together with the future — with honour and respect. To seek important lessons, not despair. To seek strength, not anguish," the Minister said.
According to the Foreign Minister, even under extremely difficult circumstances, Ukrainian diplomacy of that era maintained contacts with many states across Europe and the world. The Ministry coordinated the activities of diplomatic missions, including in Poland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Türkiye and Switzerland.
"However difficult the situation of Ukraine's leaders was a hundred years ago, they preserved the continuity of Ukrainian statehood. They preserved what mattered most — faith in a free and independent Ukraine," Andrii Sybiha emphasised.
The Minister stressed that, comparing the events of a century ago with the present day, Ukraine is now in a significantly stronger position — with a powerful military, broad international support and resilient state institutions. He noted that Ukraine must seize the historic chance to prevail over its age-old enemy and break the cycle of history.
Andrii Sybiha underscored that the building in Tarnów symbolises not only Ukraine's past, but also its future. He noted that despite the tragedy of the forced emigration of an entire generation of Ukrainians, it was precisely the preservation of the UPR's state-building tradition in Tarnów that became one of the factors ensuring the continuity of Ukrainian statehood and laying the groundwork for modern independent Ukraine.
The Minister also drew attention to the fact that the issues discussed by Ukrainian diplomats a hundred years ago remain relevant today — from arms supplies to countering Russian propaganda.
"In my office in Kyiv there is a photograph of the 1920 UPR ambassadors' conference, which I often show to guests. The minutes of that meeting have also survived to our time. And I sincerely hope that Ukrainian diplomats will one day speak only of peace, development and the future, and not of war," the Minister said.
Andrii Sybiha also noted that the history of Tarnów demonstrates the importance of solidarity between the Ukrainian and Polish peoples.
"Poland at that time became a place where Ukrainian state institutions were able to continue their work. This historic gesture of support remains an important part of the shared memory of our peoples," the Foreign Minister stated.
Andrii Sybiha expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the realisation of the initiative, including Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Vasyl Bodnar, Consul General of Ukraine in Kraków Viacheslav Voinarovskyi, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Tarnów Bartłomiej Babuszka, representatives of Ukrainian diplomatic missions in Poland, the authorities of Tarnów led by Mayor Jakub Kwaśny, the Institute of National Remembrance, the author of the memorial plaque project Ewa Fleszer, Professor Iryna Matiash, as well as Polish and Ukrainian specialists in the field of cultural heritage protection.
"We are stronger when we remember the lessons of the past. Polish-Ukrainian brotherhood, forged in Tarnów, is today stronger than ever. May this memorial plaque stand as a symbol of historical memory, respect for the past and the enduring friendship between Ukraine and Poland," Andrii Sybiha concluded.