Act Zluky

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The signing of the Act Zluky, on the St. Sophia Square in Kiev.
The signing of the Act Zluky, on the St. Sophia Square in Kiev.

The Act Zluky (Ukrainian: Акт Злуки) was an agreement signed on January 22, 1919 by the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic on the St. Sophia Square in Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine. The agreement was aimed at creating a unified Ukrainian state, a movement long awaited by the intelligentsia on both sides.[1] However, the Act Zluky was regarded as purely symbolic in that both governments still retained their own separate armies, administrations and government structure.[1]

A copy of the Act Zluky, signed on January 22, 1918.
A copy of the Act Zluky, signed on January 22, 1918.

The original Ukrainian language text of the universal made by the Directorate of the Ukrainian People's Republic is:

“ Віднині на всіх українських землях, розділених віками, Галичині, Буковині, Закарпатській Русі й Наддніпрянщині буде єдина велика Україна. Мрії, задля запровадження яких найкращі сини України боролися і вмирали, стали дійсністю.[2] ”

A modern English language translation:

“ The territory of Ukraine, divided over the centuries, including Galicia, Bukovyna, Carpathian Ruthenia, and Naddniprianschyna will now become a great united Ukraine. Dreams, for which the best sons of Ukraine fought and died for, have come true. ”

On January 21, 1999, the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma issued a decree, creating a government holiday the "Day of Reunion of Ukraine" (Ukrainian: День Соборностi України, Den’ Sobornosti Ukrayiny), which is to be celebrated every year on January 22.[3]

To mark the 71st anniversary of the signing of the Act Zluky in 1919, over 300,000 Ukrainians[4] created a human chain (approx. 482 km (300 mi))[4] from the capital Kiev to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on January 21, 1990.[5][6] The chain, the largest public demonstration in Ukraine since the beginning of Glasnost,[4] was funded by the People's Movement of Ukraine (Rukh).[4] Also, for the first time since the period of the Ukrainian People's Republic, the blue and yellow national flag was raised.[7]

Over 300,000 Ukrainians participated in the human chain on January 21, 1990.
Over 300,000 Ukrainians participated in the human chain on January 21, 1990.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Subtelny, Orest (2000). Ukraine: A History. University of Toronto Press, 362. ISBN 0-8020-8390-0. 
  2. ^ Акт Злуки (Ukrainian). Ukrainian Wikipedia. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
  3. ^ Laws of Ukraine. Presidential decree No. 42/99: On Day of Reunion of Ukraine. Passed on 1999-01-21. (Ukrainian)
  4. ^ a b c d Subtelny, p. 576.
  5. ^ Rohoza, Borys. "Great Zluka", Khreshchatyk, Hornyak. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. (Ukrainian) 
  6. ^ "Yushchenko asked the political elite to celebrate the Day of Reunion", Korrespondent. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. (Ukrainian) 
  7. ^ Orel, Svitlana. "We cannot forget", Vechirka.com.ua. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. (Ukrainian) 

[edit] External links