Ukraine commemorates the Heavenly Hundred Heroes - people who changed the country

The Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes is not only a commemoration of the fallen, but also a reminder of the strength of spirit and the desire for freedom demonstrated by thousands of Ukrainians in the winter of 2013-2014. Their feat continues to inspire new generations of Ukrainian defenders, and their memory strengthens the unity of the nation in the fight for sovereignty and democratic values

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Today, 20 February, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes for the eleventh time. This date was established by a presidential decree on 11 February 2015 and is dedicated to the events of the Revolution of Dignity. It was on 20 February 2014 that the confrontation between the Maidan protesters and the regime reached its highest point, claiming the lives of dozens of activists.

Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred: who are they?

The ‘Heavenly Hundred’ refers to the 107 people who died during the Revolution of Dignity, as well as the Maidan activists who gave their lives in the spring of 2014 with the beginning of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. The term itself originated by analogy with the ‘hundreds’ - the structural units of the Maidan Self-Defence - and was first used during the funeral service for the dead on Kyiv's Independence Square on 21-22 February 2014.

Among the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred are people of different ages, nationalities and religions. The youngest was 17-year-old Nazariy Voitovych, and the oldest was 82-year-old Ivan Nakonechnyi. Three of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes are women: Antonina Dvoryanets, Olga Bura and Lyudmyla Sheremet.

105 fallen participants of the Revolution of Dignity were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. Three foreigners - Mikhail Zhiznevsky from Belarus and Georgian citizens Zurab Khurtsia and David Kipiani - were posthumously awarded the Order of the Heavenly Hundred.

State recognition of the feat

On 17 February 2021, the Verkhovna Rada recognised the Revolution of Dignity as one of the key moments in the formation of the Ukrainian state and an expression of the national idea of freedom. On the same day, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an action plan to perpetuate the feat of the Maidan participants and commemorate the Heavenly Hundred Heroes for 2021-2025. The document envisages, among other things, the creation of the National Memorial Complex of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes - the Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.

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Symbols and slogans

The graphic symbol of the information campaign was an image of Maidan protesters with wooden shields, reminiscent of one of the most famous photographs of World War II - the moment the flag was planted on Iwo Jima. The drawing was created by Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Komiakhov.

Addressing his fellow citizens on the occasion of the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the Maidan participants who gave their lives fought for the right of Ukrainians to live in a free and independent state. He also recalled that it was on these days in 2014 that Russia began its first steps towards the seizure of Crimea, taking advantage of the moment when Ukrainians were defending their freedom in Kyiv.

‘While people were being killed in Kyiv and people were defending their freedom, Putin decided to strike again - a very vile strike. Since then, the world has been living in a new reality where Russia is trying to deceive everyone. And it is very important not to give in, to stand together. It is very important to support those who defend freedom. Eternal honour to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. Eternal gratitude to all our brave Ukrainians who fought for Ukraine and its independence,’ the President noted.

Commemorative events

The main events to commemorate the Heavenly Hundred Heroes are taking place on 18 and 20 February. Street exhibitions, themed tours, film screenings and memorial events are being organised in Kyiv and other cities. On 20 February, the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre will host the premiere of Stanislav Liudkevych's cantata symphony Caucasus, dedicated to the Day of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.

We remind you! On 22 January, Ukraine celebrated the Day of Unity. We talked about the modern significance of the holiday, the Act of Unification, interesting facts and symbols of this important day.

Photo: Mstyslav Chernov/Unframe

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