(Independence Day) Ukraine’s Renaissance Legacy

When I walk down Andriivskyi Descent in Kyiv toward the Podil district, I pause for a moment to admire this exquisite mural, titled “Renaissance,” by French artist Seth Globepainter and Ukrainian artist Kislow. Its message is unmistakably about Ukraine’s renaissance as a nation. In the palm of her hand she holds the future in the guise of a little child. Apparently, the painters were strongly inspired by the architecture featured in the early Renaissance frescoes of Masaccio and Piero della Francesca. The young woman’s body is beautifully intertwined with the town: a Romanesque arch extends into her robe, her left hand protectively embraces the houses. Also striking is the surreal motif of the two Cossack heads, from which buildings rise (might these guys be architects? ) “Don’t mess with this lady” was one of the thoughts that crossed my mind. Although, sadly, she does not have the means to protect the Kyivans from ballistic missiles – after all, the only sleep granted to Ukrainians during the “spiritual mission of the unique Russian soul” is eternal sleep. Her air defense units can only stare helplessly at their radar screens as these missiles strike. Even so, her intense, focused gaze reminded me of the story of a former Latin teacher who joined the Ukrainian army in 2022 and reportedly became one of the best snipers – call sign “Panoushka” – taking out Russian invaders (who had killed her beloved) from up to 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) away. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Gains Ground Near Kharkiv, Foils Russian Flag-Raising Attempt Ukrainian forces recently advanced north of Kharkiv City and thwarted a Russian flag-raising mission near Vovchansk, according to the Institute for the Study of War. JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Italian scholar and philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). As for the Renaissance: its essence was articulated in 1486 in the “Oratio de Hominis Dignitate” (Oration on the Dignity of Man), the humanist manifesto by the Italian scholar and philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). In it, this brilliant young man, barely 23 years old, argued that God, having created the heavenly globes and the earthly world teeming with all manner of animal life, still longed for a creature that could give meaning to His creation, be moved with love at its beauty, and smitten with awe at its grandeur. In His heavenly studio, however, there was no archetype left to fashion humankind. Therefore, the Divine Artist decided to grant Adam – “unlike all other creatures who were defined and restricted within laws” – the privilege “to be the free and proud shaper of your own being, [and] fashion yourself in the form you may prefer. It will be in your power to descend to the lower, brutish forms of life; you will be able, through your own decision, to rise again to the superior orders whose life is divine.” In short, according to Pico, the dignity of man lay in his self-determination. Although it is doubtful whether the Ukrainians who called their Maidan uprising the “Revolution of Dignity” knew about Pico, they certainly acted in his spirit. Incidentally, Pico was born on Feb. 24 – a date burned as a huge dark stain into the memory of the Ukrainians, albeit also one on which they decided en masse to fight for the right to shape their own future. The right to be a citizen instead of a subject. Flag of Mirandola But isn’t it also remarkable that the flag and coat of arms of Pico’s family and birthplace Mirandola feature the same two colors as the Ukrainian flag? Set against a sky-blue background is an inverted V-shape, a gold-colored chevron which, in heraldry, resembles the rafters of a house and has traditionally symbolised protection, builders or loyal service. Needless to say, such concepts have taken on an unprecedentedly profound significance for Ukrainians. Take Lacity Ukraine, an Odesa-based charity foundation and media agency helping to defend Ukraine’s independence, which appears to be indebted to the Mirandola flag design, as it turned the golden roof rafter into an L for their own logo. Perhaps it is time that Pico was honored with a statue on the Maidan. And if that were to happen, let the mayor of Mirandola unveil it. The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post. The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post. Rogier OrmelingRogier Ormeling is a publicist based in the Netherlands who writes about Russia and Ukraine.