Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and Lina Kostenko were awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kyiv”
8 May 2024 16:20
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Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and Ukrainian poet and writer Lina Kostenko have been awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kyiv”. This was announced by Mayor Klitschko at a session of the Kyiv City Council, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The decision was made at today’s session of the Kyiv City Council.
“Today, the capital, by the decision of the Kyiv City Council, expressed its respect and respect and awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kyiv” to two people who are real moral authorities for Kyiv residents and all Ukrainians – Lina Kostenko and Valeriy Zaluzhnyi,”
– klitschko said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has nominated former Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi for the title of Honorary Citizen of Kyiv in March 2024. The grounds for the nomination are Zaluzhnyi’s outstanding services in defending the city during the defence against the armed aggression of the occupiers and as a sign of respect from the Kyiv community.
“For many years, Lina Vasylivna has personified the indomitable, free and talented soul of Ukrainians. The spirit of freedom and courage! We honoured Valeriy Fedorovych for his personal merits during the defence of the capital and in the protection of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and freedom,”
– added the mayor of Kyiv.
Klitschko presented the awards to Lina Kostenko and Valeriy Zaluzhnyi at Lina’s home.
What is known about the titles and the awarding procedure
The title “Honorary Citizen of Kyiv” is a distinction of the Kyiv community. It is awarded to citizens of Ukraine and foreigners who have made a significant personal contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of Kyiv, to the enrichment of the city’s national cultural and spiritual heritage; for outstanding achievements in the development of science, education, culture, art, healthcare, sports, business and other areas of activity, in strengthening the international authority of the capital of Ukraine – the city of Kyiv – and who enjoy universal respect and authority in the territorial community of Kyiv.
The title “Honorary Citizen of the City of Kyiv” is awarded to a person by a decision of the Kyiv City Council once and is lifetime.
As a rule, the award attributes of the title of Honorary Citizen are presented in a solemn ceremony on the Day of Kyiv.
The award is made by the Mayor of Kyiv or, on his behalf, by the Deputy Mayor – Secretary of the Kyiv City Council, the First Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, and the Deputy Heads of the Kyiv City State Administration.
The title itself is accompanied by a badge, its miniature and a certificate. The newly minted Honorary Citizen also receives a diploma and a personalised watch from the Mayor.
In total, the mayor can grant this status to only 4 influential persons in one calendar year.
Rights of the Honorary Citizen of Kyiv
Persons who have been awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of the City of Kyiv” have the right to be received by the Mayor of Kyiv on a priority basis.
Upon reaching the retirement age, each of the Honorary Citizens is entitled to receive an allowance from the city in the amount of five subsistence minimums, which is currently UAH 11,800.
They are also entitled to free medical treatment in city hospitals and, in the event of death, free burial in the city cemetery.
The most famous Honorary Citizens of Kyiv
The list of Honorary Citizens of the City of Kyiv posted on the KCSA website contains 92 names of prominent figures of the past and present. The list includes Mayor Vitali Klitschko himself, who received the title 20 years ago, as well as former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, footballer Andriy Shevchenko, singer Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, and the current head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who, by the way, became an Honorary Citizen before Zaluzhnyi in 2022.
In early May, the largest mural in Ukraine depicting Valeriy Zaluzhnyi was unveiled in Kyiv. The mural depicting the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is over 120 m² in size and was created in 13 hours.
As reported, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi does not rule out running for president of Ukraine in the future, but he is not ready to talk about his political career until the war is over.
