President Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna Poroshenko took part in the opening of the Ukrainian Circle exhibition on the Day of Unity of Ukraine and the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.

“Modern Ukraine is the heiress of centuries-old national traditions revived during and as a result of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917 - 1921. The idea of state independence put on the agenda and tempered during the Revolution has become a powerful material force. It defined the entire course of the history of Ukraine,” Petro Poroshenko said opening the exhibition.

Petro Poroshenko noted that, unfortunately, the empire had gained a temporary victory at that time. “It has been burning with iron, drowning in blood and killing with starvation the memory of the UPR, the Central Rada, the Hetmanate and the Directorate for decades. Therefore, it is not surprising that few artifacts were preserved,” the President said and expressed gratitude to all Ukrainians who have been keeping the memories materialized in documents, things, photos and films for the long dark time. He also thanked the foreign citizens.

“I am glad to see academics, collectors, museologists, archivists, library workers here. Almost 30 leading museums, libraries, archives from all over the world - Poland, USA, Canada and Switzerland have provided exhibits for the exhibition. I am grateful to those who takes care of preserving these extremely important relics for us. International cooperation in this sphere is crucially important,” the Head of State addressed the attendees.

The President noted that the exhibition was a significant component of the commemoration of the century of the Ukrainian National Revolution. He urged the government representatives to broadly inform the public on the exhibition.

“I would like as many people as possible to visit this exhibition. Especially students and pupils. So that they will remember and honor their own history, which has been hidden for many generations, the history of their own state and national heroes,” Petro Poroshenko stressed.

The President stressed that it was vital for us to analyze and take into account the historical experience and the lessons of the Ukrainian Revolution of the last century.

“To defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, Ukrainians of that time lacked unity. The loss of independence and Bolsheviks’ occupation have led to millions of losses from the Holodomor and the Great Terror against our state. We shouldn’t forget that Russia used the same methods of “hybrid war” against Ukraine as it uses now: non-recognition of the presence of its troops in the territory of the UPR, the creation of the puppet pro-Russian "republics", the financial and armed support of the "rebel movements",” the President said.

“However, we are much stronger, more experienced and more united today. We are hardened by the century of struggle, backed by significant international support, powerful AFU, faith of people in themselves and their national European state,” the President noted.

He also emphasized that honoring historic events we should remember that we write the history for years with our actions. We do care about what the future generations of Ukrainians will say about us. “May God help us build a successful country of successful people,” Petro Poroshenko concluded.

president.gov.ua