The process of decommunization in Ukraine has been ongoing since the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Condemnation and Prohibition of Propaganda of Russian Imperial Policy in Ukraine and Decolonization of Place Names.” This law aims to remove symbols of the Soviet era from public spaces and replace them with names that honor Ukrainian heroes and historical events. The Lviv Regional State Administration has been actively working towards this goal, recently issuing a resolution to change the names of 122 more place names.
The decision to change these place names was made in accordance with the law, which places the responsibility of decommunization on the heads of regional administrations. The process involves consulting with communities, holding public hearings, and ultimately making decisions to rename streets and dismantle Soviet monuments. In the case of the Lviv region, most of the new street names were chosen by the communities themselves, while some were suggested by the working group on decommunization under the Lviv Regional State Administration.
Andriy Godyk, the head of the working group on decommunization, emphasized the importance of renaming streets to reflect Ukrainian history and honor national heroes. He stated that the names of streets play a significant role in shaping the consciousness of individuals, especially children. By renaming streets after Ukrainian heroes and historical figures, the hope is to instill a sense of pride and patriotism in the younger generation.
Yuriy Horun, the director of the Department of Communications and Internal Policy at the Lviv Regional State Administration, highlighted the increase in the number of place names that needed to be changed due to recent requests from communities. The state enterprise National Information Systems has been instrumental in facilitating these changes by summarizing information on toponymy and making relevant adjustments.
The new street names chosen by the communities in the Lviv region reflect a diverse range of historical figures and events. Many streets are named after contemporary Ukrainian heroes, as well as prominent figures of the national liberation struggle in the 20th century, UPA soldiers, and clergy of the UGCC persecuted by the Bolsheviks. These names serve as a reminder of Ukraine’s rich history and the sacrifices made by its people for independence.
Overall, the decommunization process in Ukraine is a significant step towards reclaiming national identity and honoring the country’s history. By removing symbols of the Soviet era from public spaces and replacing them with names that reflect Ukrainian heritage, the hope is to create a more unified and patriotic society. The efforts of the Lviv Regional State Administration in changing 122 place names are just one example of the ongoing decommunization process taking place throughout the country.