Today at 09:01
Photo Mykhailo Markiv
The President of Ukraine and his wife honored memory of Taras Shevchenko and laid flowers to the monument to the Great Kobzar on Tarasova Mountain in Kaniv. This was reported by his Press Office.
During the speech at the ceremony of awarding the Taras Shevchenko National Prize, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko noted that throughout the world the birthday of the genius of the Ukrainian people, the most famous and prominent Ukrainian poet is celebrated today.
“We, Ukrainians, are used to open Kobzar in the days of anxiety or joy. We know that we will always find the lines giving strength and inspiration,” the Head of State noted.
Photo Mykhailo Markiv
“For us, Ukrainians, Taras Shevchenko was the first in a series of heroes who paved the way for an independent united Ukrainian state. He led the heroes of the Ukrainian Revolution and the warriors who fought for Ukraine against two totalitarian regimes in the Second World War. And now “Kobzar” can be seen very often in the trenches on the frontline. This means that Shevchenko is our Ukrainian spiritual weapon, as necessary as tanks and cannons,” Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko recalled the words of Shevchenko said by Serhiy Nigoyan on Maidan: “Keep fighting – you are sure to win! God helps you in your fight!”
“Then these words were heard on the frontline of war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine. I am proud to report here to Taras as the President of a great nation, which is united in its aspiration to defeat the enemy and build a great successful country,” Poroshenko said.
He stressed that due to the efforts of the authorities and the people of Ukraine, in a very short period of time, we had managed to create the “army that effectively defends our land, rebuffs the enemy who planned the Blitzkrieg and the seizure of Kyiv.”
“Now we have a true guarantee of statehood – the army hardened in battles, one of the best in the world,” Poroshenko said.
“Army, language, faith is a solid foundation of the state we have laid. We are already building the walls of the future Ukraine on it – a country of free, happy and prosperous people,” he added.
In addition to honoring the dead, the President also honored the living. He awarded the Taras Shevchenko National Prizes of Ukraine to prominent Ukrainian cultural and art figures on Tarasova Mountain in Kaniv, as well.
“This year’s National Prize is awarded to the prominent Ukrainian artists who have made a great contribution to the Ukrainian national revival, gained numerous brilliant victories on the cultural frontline. Because now language, culture, art, education, information is also the field of struggle for unity, values and meanings of our life, for the happy future of Ukraine,” Poroshenko said during the ceremony.
Photo Mykola Lazarenko
According to him, Ukrainian culture is proud of the works of this year’s winners as they represent Ukraine on the literary stage of the world.
“I congratulate the winners with the highest artistic award of Ukraine. Thank you for your talent, for your faithful and sincere service to the culture of our people. I wish you a good health, inspiration, new creative achievements and victories. I am grateful to everyone who came here today to the Great Kobzar! I am grateful to everyone who protects and builds a great Ukraine, a country of free, happy and prosperous people! Glory to Ukraine!” he said.
