Ukraine’s First President – Symon Petliura
Ukrainians in Paris - Les Ukrainnienes de Paris: Part III

|

Symon Petliura arrived in Paris in 1924 on the heels of a tumultuous period in the world's history. Having been Ukraine’s first president from 1918 until it fell to the Bolsheviks in 1920, Petliura fled first to Warsaw, then Budapest, Vienna, Geneva, and finally Paris. Hoping to find respite as well as continue to work towards his political, military, and cultural goals, he began a library collection, founded a weekly journal, and oversaw the political activities of Ukraine’s government in exile. In 1926 while on a stroll his stay was abruptly terminated by an assassin’s bullet. Though his residence in Paris was brief, commemorations in Paris to him abound.

Located in the 20^th arrondisement (district) the library which he started continues to exist, getting ready to digitize its catalog and offering occasional lectures as well research facilities to those interested in Ukrainian affairs. St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church (6^th arrondisement-district) has two plaques on display in its foyer – one in French, the other in Ukrainian – memorializing Petliura (see top image).

Last, his remains are in the Montparnasse Cemetery (14^th arrondisement-district), a final resting place shared by other famous statesmen, writers, and industrialists such as Paul Reynaud, Simone de Beauvoir, and Andre Citroen. Walking into the cemetery’s main entrance and asking a patrolling gendarme for directions to his grave the polite reply comes, "A oui, le premier president de l’Ukraine. Tout a droite au cirque, apres a gauche a l’Allee Chaveau Lagarde, alors a droite au coin de l’Allee Chaveau Lagarde et l’Allee Raffet. C’est juste a nord-est de la." ("Oh, the first president of Ukraine. Straight ahead to the circle, then to the left to l’Allee Chaveau lagarde, then right to the intersection of l’Allee Chaveau Lagarde et l’Allee Raffet. It is just to the northeast from there.") Along with Petliura, his wife and daughter are interred at the same site.

|

Complete article with images:

1. Ukrainians in Paris - Les Ukrainnienes de Paris
   
2. Paris’ Ukrainian social focal points – churches and parks
   
3. Ukraine’s First President – Symon Petliura
   
4. Other Ukrainian institutions of note in Paris
5. Assorted images of Paris