The Day of Heroes of Ukraine is a day of honor and gratitude to those who dedicated their lives to the struggle for the independence and freedom of the Ukrainian state. Celebrated on May 23, Ukrainians honor the memory of soldiers who defended the country in all historical eras: from the times of Kievan Rus and the Cossacks to the current war with Russia. This holiday has gained special significance in the context of a full-scale invasion, when new Heroes continue to defend Ukraine every day. The courage and self-sacrifice of the defenders is the foundation of the nation's resilience. On this day, we remember the deeds of those who are now sacrificing their lives for the country's freedom.
On May 21, on the eve of the Day of Heroes of Ukraine, the Vinnytsia Regional Universal Scientific Library named after V. Atamanovsky hosted a national patriotic event “The Strength of the Nation in its Heroes”, which was attended by veterans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, writers, representatives of public organizations working with the military and veterans, as well as 15 students of the Vinnytsia Vocational School 1.
The event was attended by Vasyl Liubunya, a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, deputy commander of the Vinnytsia Regiment of the All-Ukrainian Civil-Military Association “Combat Brotherhood of Ukraine”. Vasyl told about his military service since 2014, the heroic deeds of his son, a defender hero who died in the war, introduced the activities of the Combat Brotherhood of Ukraine and emphasized the importance of national and patriotic education of young people, which he is currently engaged in.
Roman Zhuravlev, a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, originally from Vinnytsia region, told the audience about his combat experience from the first days of the full-scale war and commented on the photos of military everyday life.
Oleksandr Gudilin and Oleksandr Glushchenko are veterans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, defenders from Mariupol. They were held in captivity for about three years and were released at the end of 2024. They told the audience about the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of their hometown and how they defended it, about their time at the Mariupol Metallurgical Plant and their time in captivity. The defenders now live in Vinnytsia. Oleksandr Gudilin is a representative of the Center for Psychological Assistance to PTSD Sufferers in Vinnytsia, an international humanitarian medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières.
Valentyna Storozhuk, deputy director of the My Vinnytsia Publishing House, member of the Vinnytsia regional organization of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine, mother of an Armed Forces soldier, spoke about the publishing activities of the institution, in particular, the project Your People Vinnytsia. Heroes of Ukraine" project and emphasized that many books about the Heroes of Ukraine have already been written and published in Vinnytsia region.
Alla Borovska, a poet from Vinnytsia, read her poems dedicated to Ukrainian soldiers. Her warm and sincere poems were full of hope and maternal love for each of our defenders and heroes.
Musical greetings to our Heroes and all those present were presented by Maryna Kotyk, a student of Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University named after M. Kotsiubynskyi, originally from Pavlohrad, Dnipro region, and members of the folk vocal ensemble “Oberih” of Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University named after M. Kotsiubynskyi (headed by folk singer and folklorist Nina Begas).
In conclusion, Halyna Slotiuk, acting director of the V. Atamanovskyi VOUNB, once again congratulated the veterans of the Armed Forces on the holiday, thanked them for their defense of Ukraine and presented them with gratitude and gifts.
