In the very heart of Cleveland, amidst lush alleys of cultural gardens, stands the monumental figure of Lesya Ukrainian — one of the most prominent figures of Ukrainian literature. The monument, installed on September 24, 1961, in the Ukrainian Cultural Garden, is not only an artistic creation but also a living testimony to the unyielding spirit of the Ukrainian people and their aspirations for freedom and authenticity.
This monument is an important cultural and historical marker for the Ukrainian diaspora in the USA. It is located within the Cleveland Cultural Gardens — a unique complex that unites over 30 national gardens dedicated to ethnic communities that have contributed to the development of American society. The Ukrainian Cultural Garden, created in 1940, has become not only a place of beauty but also a spiritual center for Ukrainians in exile.
The initiative to create a monument to Lesya Ukrainian was undertaken by the United Ukrainian Organizations, the Ukrainian Women's League of North America, and numerous representatives of the local community. The ceremonial opening, attended by over a thousand people, became a significant event for the Ukrainian community in the USA. Especially symbolic was the presence of Isidora Kosach-Borisova — Lesya Ukrainian’s sister, whose participation added a deeply personal touch to the event.
The author of the monument is the talented Ukrainian sculptor Mykhailo Cherešňovskyi, who worked in New York. His full-height sculptural composition embodies not only the external image of the poetess but also profound symbolism. Lesya Ukrainian is depicted in an elegant pose, with her gaze directed into the distance — symbolizing spiritual greatness, resilience, and a dream-driven striving toward a free future. The height of the statue reaches almost 2.9 meters, adding monumentality to the image and emphasizing the significance of Lesya’s figure in the national memory.
The monument is not only a tribute to the great poetess but also a personification of the Ukrainian people's struggle for their identity, language, and culture. It speaks to every visitor about the power of words, about the ability of literature to inspire, unite, and heal the nation even across thousands of kilometers from its homeland. This place has become a kind of sanctuary for Ukrainians in Cleveland, a space of memories, reverence, family gatherings, and cultural events.
In 2011, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the monument’s unveiling and the 140th anniversary of Lesya Ukrainian’s birth, the monument was solemnly restored. This act not only preserved the monument in good condition but also reaffirmed the inexhaustible respect that the Ukrainian community continues to nurture for its history, culture, and heroes.
Lesya Ukrainian’s monument in Cleveland is more than bronze and stone. It is a living history, engraved in art. It is a reminder of the spirit and talent of the Ukrainian people. It is a bridge between the past and the future, between Ukraine and its sons and daughters abroad. It testifies that even in distant America, one can preserve roots, cultivate national identity, and inspire new generations of Ukrainians to love their culture, language, and freedom.
