Ukrainian holiday declared

Oct 14,2015 - Last updated at Oct 14,2015

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko decreed October 14, 2014, a holiday in honour of the courage and heroism of the defenders of the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Defender of Ukraine Day is a state holiday in Ukraine celebrated annually on October 14. This year marked the first celebration.

The date is also the Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks.

Chairman of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance Volodymyr Viatrovych said the date was chosen based on Ukraine’s historical tradition of honouring the Ukrainian army on the day of the Intercession of the Theotokos.

On October 12, 2015, the National Bank of Ukraine put into circulation 50,000 pieces of 5 hryvnia coins with an inscription “Day of Defender of Ukraine”.

Ivan Lukasevych,
Third secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine to Jordan

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