President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented events dedicated to the anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day.
"This is a big and very important day. It's not just a big parade, a big concert, a big firework. It is an opportunity to understand what we have learned over the years of independence and what we must learn to never lose it. This is what the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence is dedicated to. Ten basic activities. Ten key achievements. Ten important conclusions. And together - 30 years of independence and one dream for the next years," the Head of State told during the presentation, which took place within the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30" in Kyiv.
The President noted that a week before Independence Day, for the first time in history, the original Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk will arrive in Ukraine. From August 16, everyone will be able to see a landmark of law in St. Sophia’s Cathedral, which demonstrates the centuries-old history of Ukrainian statehood.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that on August 22, those who helped preserve Ukraine's statehood in 2014 will be honored: participants in the hostilities in Donbas, veterans, doctors and volunteers.
On this day, for the first time, a new state award "National Legend of Ukraine", introduced at the initiative of the President, will be presented. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this award will be given to outstanding personalities who have brought Ukraine world fame and recognition.
"Since 1991, the uniqueness of independent Ukraine has been shaped by individuals whom everyone in the country knows. And thanks to whom everyone knows about Ukraine. About our painting, music, theater, ballet, literature, cinematography, science and sports. Lobanovskyi, Stupka, Yaremchuk, Amosov, Paton, Kadeniuk, Brondukov, Bykov, Kvitka Cisyk and many others. Starting from 1991, they’ve been bringing glory to independent Ukraine year by year. And year after year the world has been saying "Bravo!" to them. And, unfortunately, year after year they’ve been leaving us without hearing "Thank you!" from Ukraine,” the Head of State noted.
Also, according to him, on August 23, on the Day of the State Flag, a monument to the unity of Ukraine will be erected in the geographical center of the country. There and across the country in the central squares of cities, the State Flag will be hoisted simultaneously.
On the same day, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, the first Summit of the Crimea Platform will take place, "so that the state flag will soon be hoisted in all sovereign territories of Ukraine". According to the President, representatives of the United States, Great Britain, Poland, Turkey, France, Germany, the Baltic States and other EU countries, Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea - a total of 29 countries - have already confirmed their participation in the event. Following the Summit, a joint declaration is planned to be signed.
"We are returning Crimea to the world agenda to return it home, to Ukraine. One must forget forever that Ukraine will forget about Crimea. Ukraine will not raise the issue of Crimea only in one case - when it raises the Ukrainian flag in Crimea," the President said.
Also on August 23, the Summit of the First Ladies and Gentlemen will be held to unite the world around finding answers to difficult questions not only for Ukraine, but also for the entire planet.
The readiness of Ukrainians to defend their independence, which they have been showing since 2014, will be demonstrated by a large military parade on August 24. According to the President, for the first time in 30 years of independence, events are planned with the participation of representatives and equipment of all forces of the security and defense sector of Ukraine and partner countries.
"On Khreshchatyk and on the Dnieper, in Odesa and in the Black Sea. Our pride. Those who are ready to defend Ukraine on land, at sea and in the air," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
As for the festive music program, the Head of State said that a concert by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli will take place on August 24. The funds raised during the event will be used to create a center of contemporary art - the Ivan Marchuk Museum.
The end of the festive program will be the "Independence in our DNA. Independence Day of the Country" show, which will take place in the evening at the NSC "Olympic" in Kyiv.
"When the Verkhovna Rada declared independence on August 24, 50,000 people under the parliament began to sing "Shche Ne Vmerla Ukrainy…". It has not been the National Anthem yet back then. But at that moment, statehood was revived and a new country was born. At that moment it had not yet written, played or sung its "Vesna", "Fayne misto Ternopil", "Kvity v volossi", "Ya ne zdamsia bez boyu" and "Liudy yak korabli". But it knew for sure it will write them. It knew for sure that it was starting a new path. It knew for sure that it would be very difficult. And it knew for sure that the end of this path would be cherished and successful," the President stressed.
