Ukraine celebrates the Day of Victory over Nazism in the World War II

The official symbol of the celebration of the victory over Nazism in the World War II, just as on the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, is a red poppy. 

On May 9, Ukraine marks the 74th anniversary of the victory over Nazism in the Second World War of 1939-1945.

The German Instrument of Surrender was signed on May 7 and took effect on May 8, 11.01 p.m. (CET). Moscow time was already one minute past midnight of May 9, which is when the Victory Day is observed in the post-Soviet countries, including Ukraine. In 2005, the UN General Assembly set the official date for the Day of Memory and Reconciliation. Since 2014, Ukraine has been observing both dates, May 8 and 9 alike, celebrating the end to war and paying tribute to its victims. Still, May 9 is the only official day off.

The Day of Victory over Nazism in the World War II was established as a state holiday by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on April 9, 2015 with the law on perpetuation of the victory over Nazism in the World War II of 1939-1945 voted for within the package of decommunisation laws.

As the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory notes, the new content of the celebration of the Victory Day over Nazism implies rethinking the World War II events, dispelling the Soviet historical myths, conducting an honest dialogue on the complicated pages of the past. Today, the people, who fought against the Nazism, are commemorated, and the solidarity and combat brotherhood of all the United Nations, both states and stateless peoples, is honored.

According to various estimates, from 8 to 10 million people, including about 5 million civilians, were killed during the World War II in Ukraine. At the same time, 2.2 million were delivered to the Nazi Germany for the forced labor. Over 700 towns and urban-type settlements and nearly 30,000 villages were completely ruined.

Earlier, there were solemn military parades in Ukraine on May 9, which was necessarily accompanied by a display of military equipment. However, after Russia unleashed aggression against Ukraine in April 2014, this tradition became the past. In recent years, one can watch marches of military bands in Kyiv on May 9.

The use of Soviet symbols, like St. George ribbons, is now restricted in ceremonies honoring the memory of those who perished in World War II. Instead, the official symbol of the celebration of the victory over Nazism in World War II, just as on the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, is a red poppy – common around the world on remembrance days of WWII. Ukraine used its own styling, developed by Kharkiv designer Serhiy Mishakin.

The slogan of both days is «1939-1945. We Honor. We Prevail.» On May 9 and May 8, which is the Day of Remembrances and Reconciliation, Ukrainians lay flowers to the Monument to Eternal Glory and commemorate heroes of the Second World War. The younger generation communicates with war veterans.