On the Day of Ukrainian Statehood the Ukrainian Flag was raised in front of the building of Kyiv City State Administration

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko took part in the ceremony of raising the State Flag of Ukraine near the Kyiv City State Administration on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood. And he also awarded state and government awards to Kyiv residents who made a significant contribution to state building, socio-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural-educational development of Ukraine and the capital, the Kyiv City State Administration website reports.

In total, more than 40 Kyiv residents received awards. Order of Merit of the 1st class, orders of Merit of the 3rd class, honorary titles of “Mother Heroine”, “Honored Artist of Ukraine”, “Honored Teacher of Ukraine”, “Honored Doctor of Ukraine”, “Honored Cultural Worker of Ukraine”, ” Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine”, honorary certificates of the Cabinet of Ministers.

“Today we celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Statehood for the first time. Symbolically – on the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’, which took place over a thousand years ago, in 988. Ukrainian statehood begins with the founding of the capital – the city of Kyiv. And from the events connected with the activities of Saint Vladimir of Kiev. He converted to Christianity more than a thousand years ago, which became a civilizational choice for Ukraine,” Klitschko added.

It is in honor of the outstanding state builder – Prince Volodymyr the Great of Kyiv, on the Baptism Day of Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine – July 28 – that the Day of Ukrainian Statehood was established, the message says.

In this day, Ukraine also shows respect for other national figures and fighters for the statehood and freedom of Ukraine, without whom there would be no independent Ukrainian state – Taras Shevchenko, Mykola Kostomarov, Mykhailo Drahomanov, Ivan Franko, Lesya Ukrainka, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, the Kyiv City state Administration reminds.

“The desire for freedom and independence is a defining value of Ukrainians. As a thousand years or several centuries ago, so today. And despite the fact that Ukraine has been an independent and sovereign country for more than 30 years, today we are once again forced to choose our freedom and statehood. We are once again defending our civilizational choice, democratic European values, the right to be in a European family, and not in the empire of Russian barbarians.

And our soldiers, repelling the Russian aggressor, prove that Ukrainians are a freedom-loving and brave people. United in the defense of our motherland and our statehood, we will defeat the Russian barbarians. But we will build a strong and successful European country. This is our choice, and we will fight for it!” – Klitschko emphasized.

He also observed a moment of silence in memory of all Ukrainians who died as a result of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, military and civilian, adults and children.

“Unfortunately, in this fight we are losing the best sons and daughters of our Ukrainian State. Memory eternal to everyone who died for Ukraine!” Klitschko said.

Photo: Kyiv City State Administration