Victory Day (Suspended) in Ukraine

Victory Day, celebrated on May 9th, is a holiday that was traditionally observed to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. It marked the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on May 8, 1945. In former Soviet states, including Ukraine, it was celebrated with military parades, fireworks, and remembrance events.

History

The day became an important state holiday in the Soviet Union after the end of World War II. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine continued to observe Victory Day as a national holiday. It served as a day to remember and honor the millions of soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the war.

Traditions

Typical traditions on Victory Day included:

• Veteran Parades: Military veterans would wear their medals and participate in parades.
• Laying Wreaths: Officials laid wreaths at monuments dedicated to World War II soldiers.
• Minute of Silence: A moment of silence was observed to honor those who died in the war.
• Concerts and Fireworks: Public concerts were held and fireworks displays took place in many cities.

Present Day

In recent years, particularly following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent events, Ukraine has reevaluated its approach to this commemoration. The emphasis has shifted towards a broader European remembrance culture more aligned with Western practices. As part of this reevaluation:

• Ukrainian parliament passed legislation that designated May 8th as "Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation," aligning more with European countries that mark VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) on May 8th.
• On April 24th, 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a bill into law that denounced communist and national socialist (Nazi) totalitarian regimes in Ukraine and banned propaganda from these regimes - this included symbols associated with Victory Day as celebrated during Soviet times.

Because of these changes, traditional Soviet-style celebrations for Victory Day have been suspended or modified within Ukraine, reflecting a shift towards a more nuanced historical narrative that separates itself from Russian influence.

On these days now:

• People may still honor fallen soldiers but do so within a different context or on different dates.
• Official ceremonies might take place without some traditional elements like military parades or Soviet symbols.
• The focus is often placed more on personal reflection and rem