For the third year in a row 16 Ukraine celebrates Unity Day in February. The main purpose of this holiday is to prove, that Ukrainians are strong in unity against the background of Russian aggression, are proud of their nation and want to live in an independent country.
History of the holiday. In winter 2022 year there were many reservations about the date of the beginning of the Russian invasion. At that time, Russia had already drawn thousands of troops to the Ukrainian borders under the pretext of so-called exercises. Warnings were sounded in the Western media, that the invasion will happen exactly 16 February. Ukrainians tried not to panic and live with ordinary daily worries. It was during this period that Presidential Decree No. 53/2022 established a new holiday - Unity Day. This was done in order to consolidate society, stability of spirit and reduction of psychological pressure, after all, as we remember, in February 2022 all the news feeds were blaring dire headlines about the impending war.
Traditions. Unity Day is a young holiday, so he has no traditions formed over the years. It provides for a number of ceremonial events, including:
- raising the National Flag of Ukraine on houses and structures in populated areas;
- execution of 10:00 National Anthem of Ukraine;
- conducting relevant image events by foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine in host countries, aimed at uniting and supporting Ukraine.
On this day, you can remember folk customs, wear an embroidered shirt or attach a blue-yellow ribbon to your clothes. In the conditions of war - shelling, blackouts and daily tragedies - Unity Day acquired a special meaning. Ukrainians showed the whole world, what they are today, like never before, united and despite everything will defend their independence and national identity. The unity of the Ukrainian people is our common strength, which helps resist Russian aggression.
So let's unite - because we have one Ukraine! Ukraine is us! Together to Victory!