Ukraine is a country of strong and free people. Ukraine made a definitely long way to its independence. Fighting with one or another enemy or invader, who tried to assimilate its people and eliminate its culture, the country managed to survive, to keep its identity and achieve its freedom. We had been separated for centuries, we survived through numerous wars, genocide, destructive Soviet rule and 25 years ago we finally got our independence.

What does the independence mean to Ukraine? What can we expect of its 25th anniversary? To answer these question just try to remember yourself at your 25. Most likely at this age you were still rather unsure in your path, trying to make out the most of your valuable but rather patchy experience. Probably by this time you already had some painful fails, making you feel more careful than you were several years ago, but still not prudent enough not to make any more mistakes. At this age, you might have had an idea that the best things in your life were left behind, while most of them were still ahead. You got confidence that you can control your life, but a slight idea on how you can do this.

Comparing Ukraine with a young woman we can say, that 25 years ago we saw how she was born. 10 Years later she was like a poor girl from the countryside: beautiful and full of strength, talented and strong with hundreds of medals from the Olympic Games, but with no imagine what will happen next and how to live.

Now, Ukraine transformed from that poor girl to the young and beautiful lady. Yes, she has a lot of problems as each of person aged 25 has. She saved her beauty: she still being blessed with amazing nature, she is inspiring. Warm, sunny and green. She has fertile fields, unforgettable sights, hundreds of lakes, mountains, valleys and forests. Ukraine has 45 millions of children – Ukrainians: supportive, cheerful, open-hearted. Together with our Motherland on these sides of Dnipro river we have been failing and winning, evolving and contributing, breathing, crying, smiling. Here we live, advance and love.

Independence day for Ukrainians now is not simply a feast. We do know the price for our freedom, and we are always ready to protect our Motherland and our independence. We are happy to live in Ukraine, create together and achieve together. Being thankful for what we have, but always aiming to continually improve.

Happy Independence Day, dear Ukraine!