Every year on January 22, Ukraine celebrates Unity Day—a holiday that serves as a reminder of the power of our people’s unity. This day was established by a Decree of the President of Ukraine on January 21, 1999, in honor of two significant events: the proclamation of independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the signing of the Act of Unification of Ukrainian Lands in 1919.
“From this day forward, the parts of a single Ukraine that have been separated from one another for centuries are merging into one…”—these words from the Universal of the Directory of the UPR have etched into history the generations-long dream of the unity of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Dnieper Ukraine.
On January 21, 1990, on the 71st anniversary of the proclamation of the unification of the UNR and the WUPR, millions of Ukrainians formed a “human chain” of unity stretching from Ivano-Frankivsk to Kyiv. This event foreshadowed the restoration of Ukraine’s independence and demonstrated the people’s yearning for freedom.
Today, Ukraine continues to fight for its independence and territorial integrity. We are confident that the integrity of our state will be restored, and all temporarily occupied territories will return under the blue-and-yellow flag.
Unity Day is not just about memories of the past. It is a call for unity, joint effort, and cooperation. We, representatives of different regions, are building the future together, fighting for peace, freedom, and independence. May this unity become the guarantee of a happy life for future generations in a free, united Ukraine!