Ukraine celebrates National Dignity and Freedom Day
The Day of Dignity and Freedom is celebrated in Ukraine on November 21.
It was established by the Presidential Decree of November 13, 2014, to honor two significant events in recent Ukrainian history that began on this day: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013, Ukrinform reports.
The Day of Dignity and Freedom became a kind of successor to the Freedom Day holiday, which was celebrated in honor of the Orange Revolution from 2005 to 2011 on November 22 but was canceled.
On November 21, 2013, the first protest actions of the Ukrainian public took place in response to the decision of the then authorities to stop the course towards European integration and cancel the preparation process for signing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.
However, unlike the events of the Orange Revolution, this time, the defense of dignity and freedom cost many lives of Ukrainian patriots: 106 people were killed, and more than 2,000 were wounded. In the spring of 2014, russia's military aggression began, accompanied by the occupation of Crimea and certain territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine congratulated Ukrainians on the Day of Dignity and Freedom.
"On November 21, we celebrate the Day of Dignity and Freedom, a holiday established as a sign of honoring the patriotism and courage of citizens who, in 2004 and 2013, stood up for the defense of democratic values and the European choice of our people," the General Staff said in a statement.
This year, the Day of Dignity and Freedom is celebrated amid russia's full-scale invasion, which began on February 24. Ukraine is again fighting for its freedom and independence, defending itself against the aggressor.
On November 21, Kyiv will host several events on the Day of Dignity and Freedom. In particular, the program includes the laying of flowers and an interfaith prayer, a panel discussion at which the participants of three peaceful revolutions will be present, and the exhibition "War for identity. The power of cultural resistance" will be presented in the Lavra art gallery.
