Charged with dignity and thirst for freedom

November 21 is the Day of Dignity and Freedom. This public holiday reminds of the fateful events of the recent history of Ukraine, connected with two revolutions – the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013-2014. We bow our heads to the strength of spirit, patriotism and courage of our compatriots, who first, in the fall of 2004, and then in November 2013 – February 2014, stood in defense of democratic values, rights and freedoms of Ukrainians, national interests of the Ukrainian state and its European of choice

The revolution of dignity began exactly 10 years ago on November 21, 2013.

The reason for starting the protests on the Maidan in the center of Kyiv was the refusal of President V. Yanukovych to sign the association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. However, dissatisfaction with V. Yanukovych’s regime and the policies of the government of that time had been brewing for a long time.

Initially, students came to the rally, they were joined by supporters of the European integration process and activists from the opposition. The protest was announced on November 22. The most dramatic moments occurred on February 18-20, 2014, when more than 100 activists of the Maidan were killed – the Heavenly Hundred… These brave and beautiful people gave their lives for Ukraine, for its spiritual values – freedom and independence, democracy and dignity, for the right to live freely in a free the state

This holiday was started by President V. Yushchenko in honor of the Orange Revolution. In 2011, it was abolished by V. Yanukovych, adding it to the Day of Sobornost. The current holiday, the Day of Dignity and Freedom, began to be celebrated on the first anniversary of Euromaidan in 2014 in accordance with the decree of the fifth president Petro Poroshenko. The document stated that the holiday was established to affirm the ideals of freedom and democracy, to preserve and convey to current and future generations objective information about historical events in Ukraine at the beginning of the 21st century.

This holiday acquired special significance with the beginning of the war, which was unleashed against the peaceful sovereign Ukraine by a neighboring state. But, hardened by centuries of struggle of our ancestors for freedom, today our heroes courageously defend the Ukrainian land from a cynical and defiant enemy. Thousands of Ukrainians took up arms to defend their Motherland. As in 2013–2014, they choose democratic values, territorial integrity and the European vector of development.

Glory to the heroes of the Heavenly Hundred! Glory to the current heroes!