On May 14, a traditional interfaith prayer ceremony took place at the “Living Memory” Exhibition Center of the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve to mark the Day of Remembrance of the Righteous Among the Nations of Ukraine — non-Jewish Ukrainians who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

The event brought together religious leaders, diplomats, government officials, descendants of the Righteous, Holocaust survivors, and members of the public.

The title “Righteous Among the Nations” is given to non-Jews who, during the Holocaust, courageously chose to save Jews from Nazi persecution — often at great personal risk. Since 2021, May 14 has been officially designated in Ukraine as a national day of remembrance to honor these brave individuals.

As of January 1, 2023, according to Yad Vashem, 2,707 Ukrainians have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations — the fourth-highest number in the world after Poland, the Netherlands, and France. Today, only four of these Righteous are still living in Ukraine, two of whom reside in Kyiv.

“When death walked the streets, there were those who opened their doors to life. They did not seek to be heroes, but they became them — because they chose to be human. That’s why we call them the Righteous,” said Roza Tapanova, Director of the Babyn Yar National Memorial, during her opening remarks.

Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving historical truth, stating:

“The Talmud teaches that whoever saves one life, saves the entire world. The New Testament says there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another. The Ukrainian people are a people of sacrifice and compassion. There will always be room in Ukraine for acts of courage and for saving entire worlds. And I want to thank everyone who saved — and continues to save — lives today.”

Sergiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized:

“Honoring the memory of the Holocaust and the Ukrainian Righteous is not only a moral duty, but a pillar of Ukraine’s national policy. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions actively participate in international Holocaust remembrance initiatives, and Ukraine consistently joins related declarations and resolutions of international organizations. Ukraine was also the first post-Soviet country to introduce Holocaust education as a mandatory subject in schools, in line with Council of Europe recommendations.”

During the event, Robert Martin Müller, Ambassador of Austria to Ukraine, presented a rare commemorative edition of The Memorial Book on the Inauguration of the Shoah Walls of Names Memorial to the Babyn Yar Memorial Library:

“Austria honors and protects the memory of the Holocaust. By donating this book, we hope to build a lasting bridge of remembrance between our nations — united in the mission to never forget,” the ambassador said.

Mila Tsur, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine, expressed deep gratitude to the Ukrainian people:

“Today we remember those who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II. We must preserve the memory of their heroism with dignity and care. In a time when history is too often distorted and weaponized, we must remain vigilant to ensure it stays truthful.”

Yuliya Goldenberg, Head of the all-Ukrainian Charitable Fund “To You” and co-organizer of the event, spoke about the accompanying photo exhibition “Stories Through Faces”, dedicated to Ukrainian Righteous:

“This exhibition is deeply personal for us. We had the honor of knowing each of these people — hearing their stories, looking into their eyes. Many of them are no longer with us, but others continue to carry their legacy. Today, as we face renewed violence, these stories feel closer than ever. The example of the Righteous inspires us.”

Mark Dovev, Head of Nativ in Ukraine, also honored their legacy by citing the Talmud:

“He who saves one life saves the entire world. And that world is saved for generations to come.”

One of the most moving moments of the event was the speech by Hanna Yarova, daughter of Righteous Among the Nations Sofia Yarova, who saved seven Jews during the Nazi occupation. After the war, Sofia became an active civic leader and chaired the Kyiv branch of the Association of Righteous Among the Nations.

“It means so much to gather here and honor their memory. For my mother, it was vital that the world knows what Ukrainian Righteous did. Their courage should guide us — today and in the future,” Hanna said.

Borys Zabarko, head of the Association of Former Ghetto and Concentration Camp Prisoners, also addressed the audience with powerful words of thanks:

“During the Holocaust, we were meant to die — because the world turned away. But ordinary people saved us. Today, Ukraine feels the support of the world. And we believe the world will prevail.”

The program included a short documentary screening about the Righteous, followed by the interfaith prayer itself, with participation from Fr. Vitaliy Danchak, Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Chancellor Vitaliy Kvapish, Roman Catholic Church, Sheikh Ayder Rustemov, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea, Rabbi Moti Levenharts, Kyiv Jewish Community (Left Bank), Chaplain Mykola Medynskyi, who concluded the prayer with words for all Ukrainian defenders.

The event was organized in cooperation with the all-Ukrainian Charitable Fund “To You” and has become a meaningful annual tradition since its inception in 2021.