Celebration on Narodna Square

Today, August 23, on Narodna Square in Uzhgorod, there were celebrations to mark the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine and the 23rd anniversary of Independence of Ukraine.

The festive event was attended by representatives of cultural, scientific, political organizations, NGOs, religious organizations and the media.

The leaders of the region and the regional center – the regional council chairman Ivan Baloha, the First Deputy Governor Andriy Serbaylo and the Acting Mayor of Uzhgorod Victor Shchadey approached the flagpole and at the sound of the National Anthem saluted the grand banner.

Ivan Baloha and Andriy Serbaylo handed the relatives of the killed Transcarpathian Heroes – Serhiy Martin and Oleksandr Popadynets – medals for courage and heroism in the protection of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The participant of the ATO – Lieutenant Colonel of the 51st Mechanized Brigade Petro Marko – said that the independence must be fought for. Ukrainian soldiers every day under the yellow and blue banners go to battle in eastern Ukraine, give their lives, bodies and souls for a peaceful sky over our native land. And we will win because God is with us.

The student of Transcarpathian Regional Lyceum with intensive military and physical training Illia Panko thanked soldiers – defenders of the Motherland – for their bravery that they show in the war, and assured that the younger generation would adequately perform their duty in the future.

All participants came to the Shevchenko monument. Accompanied by the Transcarpathian folk choir, they laid flowers at the foot of the Poet. After that, together with the choir, they performed "Prayer for Ukraine".

Flowers from regional and city officials were also laid to the monument of the Hero of Ukraine, President of Carpathian Ukraine Augustin Voloshin and on the Hill of Glory – on the graves of the soldiers who died for freedom and territorial integrity of the state, the press service of the regional council informed.