Mykola Plawiuk

The life in emigration has taught me that sometimes it can be harder to live for Ukraine than to die for Ukraine.

Mykola Plawiuk

Mykola Plavyuk was a Ukrainian public and political figure in exile, the last President of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in exile, co-founder and president of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians (from 1993 the Ukrainian World Congress).

Born in the village of Rusiv (now Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine).

During the World War II was a member of the Ukrainian National Organization and the Ukrainian Patriotic Army.

In 1944–1949 lived in Munich, studied at the   Ukrainian Gymnasium and later at the University there, joined the Ukrainian scout organization “Plast”.

In 1949 emigrated to Canada.

Was an active member and the Head of several Ukrainian organizations of Canada:

• The Ukrainian National Organization (Head in 1956–1966);
• The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Head in 1979–2012);
• The  World Congress of free Ukrainians (Head in 1978–1981).

In 1989 was elected the President of the Ukrainian National Republic in exile, and in 1992 officially transferred his powers to Leonid Kravchuk – the President of the Independent Ukraine.

For the last 20 years of his life had the Ukrainian citizenship, lived in both Ukraine and Canada, worked on the development of Ukraine’s international relations network.

Died and was buried in Canada.