Ukraine celebrates Statehood Day: all you need to know about the holiday
28 July - Ukrainian Statehood Day (Getty Images)
On July 28, Ukrainians celebrate Statehood Day. There's a reason this rather "young" holiday (this is the second year it is being celebrated) is celebrated on the same day with the Day of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus, 1035 years ago.
The significance of Statehood Day for Ukraine and everything you should know about this holiday is detailed below.
The meaning of Ukrainian Statehood Day
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the celebration of Ukrainian Statehood Day on of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence, and it was first celebrated last year.
The defining date of the celebration is July 28th, as it also marks the Day of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus, which coincides with the religious Day of Memory of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr the Great. It is in this coincidence that the essence of Statehood Day lies.
As noted by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, the holiday is intended to remind everyone that "Ukrainian statehood has a history of over a thousand years, and its roots lie in the Kyivan Rus medieval state with Kyiv as its center."
The rule of Prince Volodymyr was a period of prosperity for Kyivan Rus, and the adoption of Christianity in 988 was a choice in favor of European civilization and progress.
Many attributes of our modern state come from medieval Kyivan Rus:
- The trident emblem - the coat of arms of the country.
- The currency name "hryvnia" - the official monetary unit.
- The adoption of Christianity - the most widespread religion in Ukraine.
- The name "Ukraine" was first mentioned in the Ipatiev Chronicle in 1187.
- Kyiv, the political and cultural center of Kyivan Rus, remains the political and cultural center of Ukraine today.
Photo: Statehood Day coincides with the 1035th anniversary of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus by Volodymyr the Great (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Statehood Day serves to remind us of the connection between contemporary Ukrainians and the numerous generations of Ukrainian people, highlighting the uniqueness and culture of our country.
Another purpose of this holiday is to counter Russian disinformation and historical fakes about the alleged unity of the Ukrainian and Russian peoples' origins.
July 28th or July 15th: when to celebrate Statehood Day?
Though the holiday was introduced only two years ago, Ukraine is celebrating it on July 28th this year. The reason behind this is the calendar reform of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
Starting from September 1st, the OCU will switch to the new Julian calendar, causing most religious holidays to shift 14 days earlier.
Statehood Day is related to the Day of Memory of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince of Kyiv Volodymyr the Great, which, according to the new chronology, falls on July 15th. Therefore, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree to move the celebration of Ukrainian Statehood Day to July 15th, which was subsequently approved by the Verkhovna Rada.
Thus, this year, Ukraine is celebrating the commemorative date on July 28th, but from 2024 onwards, Statehood Day will be celebrated on July 15th.
Will Statehood Day be a day off?
According to Article 73 of the Labor Code of Ukraine, Statehood Day is an official day off. However, due to the full-scale Russian aggression, the country is currently living under martial law, which has been extended for the eighth time until November 15, 2023.
During martial law, all additional days off for holidays are canceled, making July 28th, 2023 a regular working day.
The Council of Bishops of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has made a final decision to switch to the new Julian calendar starting September 1st, 2023, which will result in certain holidays being celebrated on different dates.
