On February 19, on the eve of the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, the Donetsk Regional Local History Museum held a thematic online meeting entitled «Donetsk residents in the Heavenly Hundred: the path of dignity» for schoolchildren in the region. The event was dedicated to preserving the memory of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred from Donetsk region, conveying the truth about their conscious choice, and developing critical thinking among participants by analyzing the personal stories of their fellow countrymen and forming an active position.
The meeting was moderated by Oksana Sushko, Deputy Director General for Scientific Work at the museum. In her speech, she spoke about the Donetsk residents who participated in the Revolution of Dignity and the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred: Ivan Panteleev, Serhiy Bondarev, Volodymyr Naumov, Volodymyr Rybak, Dmytro Chernyavsky, and Lyudmila Sheremet, focusing on their life paths, civic courage, and sacrifice in the struggle for Ukraine’s freedom and dignity.
The event was joined by Kateryna Romanova, Deputy Director General for Research at the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity, who outlined the preconditions and beginning of the Revolution of Dignity, talked about the museum’s activities, its mission to preserve the memory of the events of the Maidan, and presented exhibits from the museum’s collection that reflect the participation and experience of Donetsk Oblast in these events.
The stories of the relatives and friends of the fallen heroes gave the meeting a special depth: Svitlana Panteleeva-Rudenko, sister of Ivan Panteleev, and Artur Shevtsov, participant in the Donetsk Euromaidan, brother-in-arms of Dmytro Chernyavsky. Their words were filled with personal pain, dignity, and fond memories. Through these vivid stories, participants were able to not only learn the facts, but also truly feel the price that was paid for freedom and how important it is to preserve the truth about those who made a conscious choice for the sake of Ukraine.
The meeting became a space of sincere gratitude and deep respect for those who gave their lives for the freedom and dignity of Ukraine. Remembering the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred is our moral duty, which we must preserve, pass on, and affirm in the hearts of future generations.