Is there no place for them there? Who is truly depicted on the Ukrainian hryvnias?

Money is more than just paper or metal; it serves as a chronicle of a people, a diary of their history captured in portraits and symbols. The Ukrainian hryvnia is no exception. Each banknote tells a complex story of individuals who made significant contributions to the state, science, culture, or the struggle for independence.

Yet behind every face stamped on a banknote lies not only a heroic epic but also dramatic conflicts, political intrigues, and difficult moral choices. "Telegraph" invites you to explore what is amiss with these heroes and why their perceptions may be ambiguous.

1. One Hryvnia: Prince Volodymyr the Great

The one-hryvnia note, which was recently converted into a coin, features the portrait of Prince Volodymyr the Great. He is known as the baptizer of Rus and one of the founders of Ukrainian statehood. The trident, which is his family emblem, has become the state coat of arms of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of this figure in the country's history.

However, Volodymyr the Great's reign is also associated with the centralization of power and political intrigues. Some researchers believe that he sought to strengthen his authority by subjugating other principalities.

2. Two Hryvnias: Prince Yaroslav the Wise

The two-hryvnia banknote depicts Prince Yaroslav the Wise. His reign was marked by the establishment of the first laws (Ruska Pravda), the construction of St. Sophia, and the advancement of education. Yaroslav the Wise symbolizes the cultural and political flourishing of Kyivan Rus.

At the same time, his rule was accompanied by struggles for power among his brothers, leading to political instability. Some historians argue that his actions contributed to the division of Rus into separate principalities, which ultimately weakened the state and made it vulnerable to external threats, such as the Mongol invasion.

3. Five Hryvnias: Bohdan Khmelnytsky

The portrait of Bohdan Khmelnytsky adorns the five-hryvnia banknote. As the first Hetman of Ukraine, he played a key role in the struggle for independence from Polish domination. However, his actions, particularly the Pereyaslav Agreement, evoke mixed evaluations in the modern context.

The Pereyaslav Agreement with Muscovy, which he signed in 1654, has been criticized for effectively leading to the loss of Ukraine's autonomy and subjugation to Moscow. Many contemporary historians view this agreement as a mistake that had catastrophic consequences for Ukrainian statehood.

4. Ten Hryvnias: Ivan Mazepa

The ten-hryvnia note features Hetman Ivan Mazepa, a figure whose legacy is also contentious. In Ukraine, he is often regarded as a hero for his attempts to secure autonomy for Ukraine during the Northern War.

However, his alliance with the Swedes and accusations of treason against Peter I create a negative image. Many believe that it was Peter I who violated the terms of the agreement with Mazepa, making the accusations of treason unjust.

5. Twenty Hryvnias: Ivan Franko

The twenty-hryvnia banknote displays the portrait of Ivan Franko — an eminent Ukrainian writer and public figure. His contributions to the development of Ukrainian literature and culture are well recognized.

He sought to integrate world culture into Ukrainian literature; however, his approaches are sometimes perceived as elitist. Franko often criticized bourgeois literature, but some of his concepts may be seen as radical or detached from the realities of ordinary people's lives. His ideas on social justice and the democratization of culture may come off as utopian.

6. Fifty Hryvnias: Mykhailo Hrushevskyi

The fifty-hryvnia note features Mykhailo Hrushevskyi — a historian and political figure who was the head of the Central Rada during Ukraine's liberation struggle. His concepts regarding Ukraine's lineage from Rus have significantly impacted modern Ukrainian identity. However, Hrushevskyi's actions as a politician have drawn a lot of criticism, particularly because the idea of socialism at that time led to the destruction of the Ukrainian People's Republic and ultimately to the occupation of Ukraine by Russia.

7. One Hundred Hryvnias: Taras Shevchenko

Taras Shevchenko is represented on the one-hundred-hryvnia note in two versions – young and old. He is a symbol of Ukrainian culture and the fight for freedom.

Yet his poetry is often perceived as overly sentimental or politicized, and some scholars argue that he did not always accurately reflect the realities of his time. This calls into question his role as a "national prophet."

8. Two Hundred Hryvnias: Lesya Ukrainka

The two-hundred-hryvnia note features Lesya Ukrainka — an outstanding poetess and playwright, representing gender equality in the Ukrainian pantheon of national heroes.

Her figure is not without controversy either. Lesya Ukrainka's works are often interpreted through the lens of feminism and nationalism, which can lead to a simplification of her creativity. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the poetess was inspired by the ideas of social democrats. She emphasized that the social-democratic movement, which swept across Europe, was "too universal for the Ukrainian nation to do without it."

9. Five Hundred Hryvnias: Hryhorii Skovoroda

The five-hundred-hryvnia note features philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda, whose philosophy rejects material values, adding irony to his presence on currency. In simple terms, Hryhorii Savych's philosophy was built on the denial of material values, fame, and luxury — everything that money symbolizes.

10. One Thousand Hryvnias: Volodymyr Vernadskyi

Finally, on the new one-thousand-hryvnia note, we see the portrait of Academician Volodymyr Vernadskyi — an eminent scientist and the first president of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. However, his figure also presents contradictions and challenges that should be examined.

Vernadskyi identified himself as a Russian by culture, even though his entire life was tied to Ukraine. While he accomplished much for the development of science in Ukraine, his activities have also faced criticism, particularly for not always supporting young Ukrainian scholars in their pursuits.

As we can see, each of these historical figures carries a complex legacy that requires critical reflection. They not only symbolize significant stages in Ukraine's history but also reflect the conflicting aspects of national memory and identity.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported that the 10-hryvnia note features the wrong hetman. In simple terms, he was confused with his successor – Pylyp Orlyk.