Today Ukraine celebrates its first Unity Day

On February 16, Ukraine celebrates a new national holiday, Unity Day.

The relevant decree №53 / 2022 is published on the website of the head of state.

Now, every year on February 16, Ukraine will celebrate Unity Day at the state level. This day is called to hang national flags and attach blue and yellow ribbons to clothing.

According to the decree, on this day the State Flag of Ukraine will be raised on buildings and establishments in all settlements, the National Anthem of Ukraine will be performed at 10:00 and foreign image events aimed at uniting and supporting Ukraine will be held at foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine.

In addition, on February 15, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a plan of measures to mark the Day of Unity.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that at the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, payments to servicemen of the Armed Forces would be increased by 30% from March 1, 2022.

In addition, the financial support of the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard will increase to 20% from the beginning of 2022 (taking into account the decision already made to increase by 10% from February 1). This is provided for in the action plan approved by the Government in pursuance of the Presidential Decree of 14 February 2022 №53 / 2022 "On urgent measures to consolidate Ukrainian society."

Among other things, the action plan provides for the creation of a single information platform for strategic communication UAcom to ensure daily informing the public about the security situation, speeding up the process of creating a territorial defense system, and holding meetings of foreign diplomats and Ukrainian communities in foreign diplomatic missions.

Several events will also be held as part of Union Day, including a telethon. The All-Ukrainian TV marathon dedicated to the Day of Unity will be aired on February 16 from 08:00 to 10:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00. All national channels will take part in it.

In addition, among the events dedicated to the Day of Unity, educational institutions together with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Institute of National Remembrance will hold lessons on unity on February 16 and media literacy lessons on February 17-18.

Among the events on February 16 will also be a prayer for the unity in Sophia of Kyiv.

Also, with the support of the State Film Agency, screenings of Ukrainian films will be held in cinemas and on TV channels. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold image events in the capitals of the world aimed at popularizing Ukraine, and diplomatic missions of Ukraine will be highlighted with the colors of the state flag.

The Book for Strengthening National Unity project will also be implemented. Briefings of officials and representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the situation at the border will be held regularly.