On November 21, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Dignity and Freedom

Events of November 21 became fateful for Ukraine. Just then two years ago, we chose our future.

Ukrainians have always been freedom-loving nation. For centuries we often have to defend the right of our own existence. The consequence of this struggle was the formation of the Ukrainian nation, self-identity, self-esteem. Over the years of Ukraine’s independence, two revolutions become a kind of a test, during which Ukrainians defended their freedom once again.

It is very symbolic that the students became a force that changed the march of Ukrainian history. At the Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kiev two years ago, the youth went out to tell the world that Ukraine chose the European way of development. The young people who are state’s agemates decided that they are those, that should guide Ukraine. And that’s right, who defines the future of the country but young people? Because it is our children, that will live in it in the future.

On November 21, 2013, they made their choice.

Today we also commemorate those who gave their lives in the struggle for free, fair and civilized future of our country. Thousands of patriots sacrificed themselves for their country's right to decide its own destiny. Was their sacrifice unavailing? It's a question of history.

This year, the events dedicated to the Dignity and Freedom day will be held under the slogan "The free create the future!". On November 21, according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko,celebrations and memorial events with the participation of officials and public figures, as well as members of the revolutionary events in Ukraine in 2004, 2013-2014, hundreds of families of Heaven’s Hundred Heroes, members of the ATO, volunteers and clergy will be held in all cities of Ukraine.

Surely, we all have to remember by what price we got our Independence, we have to honor all those who fought for our future, sometimes at the cost of their own lives. All of them, like us, wanted to live in a peaceful, free and prosperous Ukraine. Today it is up to us which way to go next.