National Flag Day: How Ukraine and the World Honored the Blue and Yellow Symbol.

Symbolism of the Blue and Yellow Flag

According to FREEДOM: On August 23, Ukraine celebrates National Flag Day. Throughout 34 years of independence, the blue and yellow symbol has become not only an official state sign. Today, blue and yellow flags around the world symbolize courage and resilience, which is why these banners are unfurled not only in Ukrainian cities but also around the world. How Flag Day was celebrated in Ukraine and beyond is reported by FREEДOM.

'This flag is a symbol of salvation for the people we are bringing back from Russian captivity. When they see the Ukrainian colors, they understand: evil is left behind. This flag is a goal and dream for many of our people in temporarily occupied territories. They cherish this flag because they know: we will never give our land to the occupier,' said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

In Lviv, the blue and yellow flag was raised on the highest flagpole in the region - traditionally near the National Academy of Land Forces. Veterans undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in Lviv also participated in the ceremony. The 12-meter banner was raised by veteran Oleksandr Kutsan, who lost both legs in battles in Donbas.

'This is a symbol, first of all, of our freedom, the state, and the very existence of the country. It is minutely placed on the uniform, and it is the only thing we left on our equipment. During combat missions, it was crucial to conceal which unit we belonged to for safety reasons. In some cases, guys took a full-sized flag with them on combat missions, hiding it in their backpacks,' said veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian War Oleksandr Kutsan.

In Dnipro, a 50-meter flag was unfurled, which was this year delivered from the almost destroyed Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region by the special unit of the National Police of Ukraine 'White Angel'. For this region, the blue and yellow banner has long become a symbol of the struggle for freedom.

'We drove in our armored car, found this flag, and brought it out already under fire. Along with evacuated people. And then delivered it to a safe place and handed it over to our administration,' said head of the evacuation organization department of the Main Directorate of the National Police of Ukraine in the Donetsk region, Hennadiy Yudin.

'With this flag, Ukrainians win victories in sports competitions, with it Kadenyuk was in space, with this name Ukrainians conquer mountain peaks. It is a symbol of freedom and a symbol of faith,' emphasized the head of the Pokrovsk City Military Administration Serhiy Dobriak.

Activists of the resistance movement 'Yellow Ribbon' decorated temporarily occupied cities in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson regions and Crimea with Ukrainian flags.

A 30-meter Ukrainian flag was unfurled near the European Parliament building in Brussels. The action is intended to emphasize that Ukraine fights not only for its independence but also for the values shared by the entire civilized world.

'This flag is indeed special. It evokes strong emotions around the world. And, undoubtedly, it has become a symbol of your brave struggle for your independence. Under this flag, Ukrainians go to the front and sacrifice their lives. That is why it has such special significance. That is why this day is also special, not only for Ukrainians. From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you on such an important day,' said European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius.

The Ukrainian banner was raised in honor of National Flag Day of Ukraine in front of the headquarters of the European Commission.

The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia was decorated with Ukrainian flags and illuminated in blue and yellow.

In Kyiv, as well as in other cities of Ukraine, entire Alleys of Flags appeared in honor of fallen defenders. Each flag symbolizes the life of a warrior dedicated to the independence of the country. The alleys have become a place of memory, where families, friends, and simply passersby come to honor the memory of heroes who died defending Ukraine's Independence.

The Ukrainian holiday of National Flag Day is symbolic for all Ukrainians as a mark of national unity, courage, and the fight for freedom. Thus, the raising of the blue and yellow flag neither in Ukraine nor beyond its borders leaves any citizen indifferent, emphasizing the important values of every Ukrainian.