Today, 24 August, is a special holiday for every Ukrainian – Independence Day. This year, our country turns 33, Komersant ukrainskyi
reports
This holiday not only reminds us of gaining independence, but also of the path that Ukraine has travelled to preserve its sovereignty.
For the third year in a row, we will be celebrating the holiday in the midst of a full-scale war started by Russia. Therefore, no mass celebrations are planned for Independence Day this year.
History of the holiday
on 16 July 1990, Ukraine celebrated its first Independence Day. On this day, the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine was adopted.
In 1991, on 24 August, the Act of Independence of Ukraine was adopted.
on 5 June 1992, the Verkhovna Rada decided to replace the words “16 July – Independence Day of Ukraine” in part one of Article 73 of the Labour Code of Ukraine with the words “24 August – Independence Day of Ukraine”. Therefore, since 1992, Ukraine’s Independence Day has been celebrated annually on 24 August.
Poland and Canada were the first countries to recognise Ukraine’s independence.
In the first weeks after the referendum, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Israel, and Switzerland also recognised independence.
After the United States joined the list on 25 December, other influential states began to recognise Ukraine one by one.
By the end of January 1992, the list included more than 90 countries, including all NATO and EU countries.
Celebrating traditions
Over the years of independence, certain traditions of celebrating Independence Day have developed. Before the war, these were large-scale celebrations that included military parades, concerts, festivals, fairs and solemn events.
Cultural and sporting events were held in different parts of the country, and thousands of people gathered on Independence Square in Kyiv to celebrate this momentous occasion.
A special moment of the celebration has always been a minute of silence in memory of all those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence, as well as the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.
Celebrating in times of war
The war has forced us to reconsider the format of celebrations, reduce the scale of public events and focus on the safety of citizens. Therefore, no mass celebrations are planned for Independence Day this year.
Nevertheless, for many Ukrainians, Independence Day remains an important symbol of hope and resilience. It is a day when we pay tribute to all those who fight for our freedom on the frontline and those who support the country in the rear.
Hundreds of different events and actions of Ukrainians will take place in dozens of countries around the world: festivals, concerts, rallies, prayers, races, fairs, etc. These events are designed to draw attention to the war and raise aid for Ukrainian compatriots.