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 life and culture, the Ukrainian people had some historical roots. He always strove for unification, therefore the Unity Day of Ukraine is of great importance for the state. He is celebrated on January 22nd.
Some information about independent Ukraine
After the revolution in October 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 Council. The UPR included 9 former provinces of the empire. In January of the following year, the leadership of the UPR adopted the IV Universal, which announced the creation of an independent state.
In the same years, in western Ukraine, which was part of the Habsburg Empire, the liberation movement intensified. Its leaders intended to create a single state in Eastern Galicia, Transcarpathia and Northern Bukovina.
In October 1918, the formation of the Ukrainian People’s Rada was announced in Lviv, and on November 13, the People’s Rada adopted the provisional Constitution and announced the creation of the West Ukrainian People’s Republic.
Unification 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 Sofia Square, the Zluka Act was promulgated, according to which the two Ukrainian republics became one by the state. Despite the disagreement between the leadership of the two republics, the date was called the Day of Unity of Ukraine. She influenced the further development of political events in the country.
71 years later, in 1990, tens of thousands of people took to the streets on January 22 and formed a “living chain” from the central square of Kiev to Lviv, holding hands and expressing the desire to create a single independent state. In the western regions, people raised blue and yellow flags, which the Soviet government did not recognize. Such actions took place every year, and 9 years later, by Decree of President L. D. Kuchma, the Day of Unity of Ukraine was declared a public holiday.
Collegiate Day is an official holiday
The tradition of the formation of “living chains” has been entrenched since the 90s. It symbolizes the desire of the people to preserve a single country. By decree of former President V. Yanukovych, the holiday was canceled in December 2011, combining it with Freedom Day. But according to the Decree of the current leader P. Poroshenko, the holiday was restored on November 13, 2014, and from December 2015, events for the Unification Day of Ukraine were approved.
Since then, official celebrations have been held on January 22. They are attended by the leaders of the highest authorities, people's deputies, heads of local governments, public and religious associations. Participants of anti-terrorist operation in the east of the country join them. On this day, flowers are brought to the burial places and monuments to the leaders of the UNR and ZUNR, as well as to activists who died during the 2013-2014 revolution and soldiers who lost their lives during the ATO.
Collegiate Day - a folk celebration
On the Day of Unification of Ukraine, the country's schools hold thematic evenings and educational hours dedicated to the holiday. The purpose of these events is to introduce children to the history of the creation of independent Ukraine. Teachers develop an action plan. The approximate scenario of the Day of Unification of Ukraine provides:
- The organizational moment, during which students decorate the school hall with the national symbols of Ukraine, hang portraits of T. G. Shevchenko, the first president of Ukraine M. S. Grushevsky, political figures who fought for the reunification of the country.
- Main part. At the beginning of the event, the anthem of Ukraine and musical works of patriotic content are played. A history teacher or museum worker tells children about the desire of Ukrainians to create a single state, explains why the struggle for a single state lasted almost 600 years.
- Final part. Performance of children in Ukrainian costumes. They sing Ukrainian songs, recite poems by Ukrainian classics and modern poets. After a short concert, the facilitator emphasizes the importance of the spiritual and cultural unity of the people.
Sobornosti Day script, developed by the organizers in 2016 for street events, provided for the “Live Chain” campaign.
On the Paton bridge in Kiev, the flag of Ukraine was deployed with a length of 30 meters. The participants paid tribute to the heroes of the Maidan, the soldiers of the ATO and all those who fought for the independence of the state, with a moment of silence. In many cities, flash mobs on the theme of "United Ukraine" were held.