Day of Unification of Ukraine - date of formation of a single state

The history of Ukraine is rich in dramatic events. For many years, eastern Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire, the western part was under the protectorate of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Despite the difference in everyday life and culture, the Ukrainian people had only historical roots. He always aspired to unification, that is why the Day of Unification of Ukraine is of great importance for the state. It is celebrated on January 22nd.

Some information about independent Ukraine

After the October Revolution of 1917, the self-proclaimed Ukrainian People's Republic was formed on the territory that was part of the Russian Empire. The power in it was headed by the Central Rada. The UPR included nine former provinces of the empire. In January of the following year, the leadership of the UNR adopted the IV Universal, in which it was announced the creation of an independent state.

In those same years, in Western Ukraine, which was part of the Habsburg Empire, the liberation movement intensified. Its leaders intended to create a unified state on the territory of Eastern Galicia, Transcarpathia and Northern Bukovina.

In October 1918, the city of Lviv announced the formation of the Ukrainian People's Council, and on November 13 the People's Council adopted a provisional Constitution and announced the creation of the Western Ukrainian People's Republic.

Association of Ukraine

December 1918 was marked by the fact that the leaders of both republics gathered in Fastov to sign a preliminary unification agreement, and a month later on January 22, 1919, with a large crowd of people in Kiev on the Sofia Square, the Zluka Act was promulgated, according to which the two Ukrainian republics became one State. Despite disagreements between the leaders of the two republics, the date was called the Day of Unification of Ukraine. It influenced the further development of political events in the country.

After 71 years in 1990, tens of thousands of people took to the streets on January 22 and formed a "live chain" from the central square of Kiev to Lviv, holding hands and expressing the desire to create a unified independent state. In the western regions, people raised blue and yellow flags, which Soviet power did not recognize. Such actions took place every year, and 9 years later, by the Decree of President L.Kuchma, the Day of Unification of Ukraine was declared a state holiday.

Day of Unification - official holiday

The tradition of the formation of "living chains" has been established since the 90s. It symbolizes the people's desire to preserve a single country. By the decree of former President V. Yanukovych, the holiday was canceled in December 2011, combining it with Freedom Day. But under the Decree of the current leader P. Poroshenko, the holiday was restored on November 13, 2014, and from December 2015 the events for the Day of Unification of Ukraine were approved.

Since then, on January 22, there have been official celebrations. Leaders of higher bodies of government, people's deputies, heads of local self-government bodies, public and religious associations participate in them. They are joined by ATU participants in the east of the country. On this day, flowers are brought to places of burial and monuments to the leaders of the UNR and ZUNR, as well as to activists who died during the revolution of 2013-2014 and fighters who lost their lives during the ATU.

Day of Unification - a national celebration

On the Day of Unification of Ukraine in the country's schools, theme nights and educational hours are devoted to the holiday. The purpose of these events is to introduce children to the history of the creation of an independent Ukraine. Teachers are developing a plan for the event. An exemplary scenario of the Day of Unification of Ukraine provides:

1. Organizational moment, during which students decorate the school hall with national symbols of Ukraine, hang portraits of T. Shevchenko, the first president of Ukraine M.S. Hrushevsky, politicians who fought for the reunification of the country.
2. Main part. At the beginning of the event, the hymn of Ukraine sounds and musical works of patriotic content. A history teacher or a local history museum worker tells children about the Ukrainians' striving to create a single state, explains why the struggle for a single state lasted almost 600 years.
3. Final part. Speech of children in Ukrainian costumes. They sing Ukrainian songs, recite poems of Ukrainian classics and contemporary poets. After a short concert, the presenter emphasizes the importance of the spiritual and cultural unity of the people.

Scenario of the Day of Unification, Developed by the organizers in 2016 for street events, provided for the "Live Chain" action.

On the bridge of Paton in Kiev was deployed the flag of Ukraine length of 30 meters. The participants paid tribute to the heroes of the Maidan, the soldiers of the ATU and all those who fought for the independence of the state, a minute of silence. In many cities, flash mobs on the topic "United Ukraine" were held.