Independence Day of Ukraine

Independence Day is the the biggest and most important state holiday in Ukraine. On August 24, all Ukrainians celebrate the country's Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Declaration of State Sovereignity of Ukraine was implemented in the aftermath of the coup d'état attempt by hard-line members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on August 19 to take the control over the country out of the hands of Mikhail Gorbachev (also known as the August Putsch).

People don't have to work, children don't attend school that day and if the holiday happens to fall on a weekend day the following Monday is usually declared a public holiday, too. If August 24 is a Tuesday or a Thursday the work day of the previous Monday or the following Friday respectively are transferred to Saturday.

The celebration usually starts already the previous day, August 23 being the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine. The president then raises the Ukrainian flag and concerts kick off the festivities of the Independence Day. On August 24 various activities are offered to the people of Kiev and also to visitors. For children there are circuses in the cities, adults can enjoy the free markets where they can buy practically everything. Various sport events, exhibitions, concerts, and spectacles are organized during the day until at night impressive fireworks officially end Ukraine's biggest party of the year. For those who haven't had enough during the day, however, there are multiple parties going on all over the city where they can celebrate their country until the early (or not so early) hours of the morning.