The March 15th national holiday holds special significance for the ArchEnerg-Metal Cluster, having become closely intertwined with international partnership and solidarity in recent years. In 2023, representing the close professional and personal bonds shared with the Precarpathian Eco-Energy Cluster, the Cluster personally paid its respects in Ivano-Frankivsk to the heroes of the 1848/49 Revolution and War of Independence. The central site of remembrance was the city's Sándor Petőfi monument, where Cluster representatives laid wreaths during a formal ceremony.
Although the escalating war and associated security risks have prevented a physical wreath-laying ceremony this year, the ArchEnerg-Metal Cluster remains committed to the anniversary. This year, the organization pays tribute virtually, emphasizing that today, the March 15th commemoration transcends the historical events of the Hungarian War of Independence.
Ivano-Frankivsk: A Center of Industry and Culture
The location of the commemoration, Ivano-Frankivsk, is a prominent economic and cultural hub in Western Ukraine. In 1962, on its 300th anniversary, the city took the name of the renowned Ukrainian poet, Ivan Franko. The city’s dynamism is reflected in its:
- 500+ industrial companies, including 50 major enterprises.
- Industrial sector providing 15% of local employment.
- Status as an intellectual center, home to numerous higher education institutions.
A Bridge Between Cultures
The bridge between Hungarian and Ukrainian culture is built upon the life works of two revolutionary poets: Sándor Petőfi and Ivan Franko. In honor of this intellectual heritage, Sándor Lezsák, Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, donated a bust to the city, crafted in bronze by the Munkácsy Prize-winning sculptor from Szeged, Sándor Kligl.
The artwork was inaugurated on July 31, 2017—the 168th anniversary of Petőfi’s death—along the popular promenade of Shevchenko Park, where it continues to proclaim the shared values of the two nations.