Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism as a single holiday for the first time
8 May 2024 10:04
Today is the first time that Ukraine celebrates the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism. This holiday was established in May last year to replace the Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II, which was previously celebrated on 9 May, the same day as the Soviet Victory Day.
From the time of independence in 1991 until 2014, Ukraine celebrated the Soviet Victory Day at the state level. In 2014, after the Revolution of Dignity, a transition to a new format of celebration began: “Victory Day has not yet been changed, but the symbol of the red poppy, which is used all over the world, has been actively used instead of the St George’s ribbon.
In 2015, for the first time in history, Ukraine celebrated the end of World War II in Europe and the victory over Nazism on two consecutive days: on 8 May, the European community and the rest of the world commemorated the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, while on 9 May, the traditional celebrations of the Day of Victory over Nazism continued. This indicates a shift to a European approach to preserving the memory of the war, which involves honouring all victims, regardless of their origin or nationality. The celebration of the two holidays on 8 and 9 May lasted until 2023.
Thus, 2015 was the last year when Ukraine celebrated the Soviet Victory Day on 9 May. From 2016 to 2023, 9 May was celebrated in the format of the Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II.
on 8 May 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada proposing to establish a new public holiday – the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II of 1939-1945, to be celebrated annually on 8 May, starting in 2024. He proposed that this bill be considered urgent, and on 29 May 2023, the Verkhovna Rada officially set a new date for the celebration of this holiday.
And on 9 May, Ukraine will now celebrate Europe Day, along with most European countries.
Read more about the celebration and history of the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in 
:
The Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism: the date of celebration and the history of this holiday
