Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive procession in traditional embroidered shirts

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive procession in vyshyvankas. Photo: NikVesti

On 23 August, Ukraine’s National Flag Day, residents of Mykolaiv donned embroidered shirts, took Ukrainian flags in their hands and marched in a festive procession along Soborna Street. The event was organised on the initiative of Yurii Didenko, head of the Mykolaiv regional branch of the People’s Movement of Ukraine.

This was reported by a correspondent for NikVesti.

The procession began at the Walk of Fame. Participants sang the National Anthem of Ukraine, observed a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen heroes, laid flowers and tied yellow-and-blue ribbons.

During the rally, Yurii Didenko emphasised that the National Flag of Ukraine is now recognised throughout the world.

«We are celebrating Flag Day, which is recognised throughout the world. Along with the flag, people honour Ukrainians who have been fighting for their freedom and the right to be a nation within the family of free peoples of the world for 12 years now,» said Yurii Didenko.

He also explained that the tradition of marching in vyshyvankas on Ukraine’s Independence Day dates back to the celebrations marking the first anniversary of independence. Despite the full-scale war, this tradition continues to be upheld to this day.

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive procession in vyshyvankas. Photo: NikVesti

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

Representatives of the Association of Cossack Organisations of the Mykolaiv Region and activists from various political parties joined the event.

The participants then marched in a procession to the Regional Palace of Culture. Patriotic slogans and Ukrainian songs rang out along the way. The honour of carrying the Ukrainian national flag was given to the youngest participants in the march.

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukrainian National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive march in traditional embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

A particularly poignant moment came when a young man approached the flag, knelt down and kissed it.

The march ended with a group photo, but the participants were in no hurry to leave. They chatted, shared their impressions and stayed together for a long time afterwards. Everyone was in high spirits — after all, on this day, the Ukrainian flag had once again united the people of Mykolaiv in their love for their country and their faith in its victory.

Photo report

The people of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive march in traditional embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

The people of Mykolaiv marked Ukrainian National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

The people of Mykolaiv marked Ukrainian National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukrainian National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukrainian National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

Residents of Mykolaiv marked Ukraine’s National Flag Day with a festive procession in embroidered shirts. Photo: NikVesti

On 24 August in Mykolaiv, events were held to honour the memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.