President of Ukraine addressed guests of 50th anniversary commemoration of Ukrainian World Congress in Kyiv

On 26 August 2017, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) held its 50^th anniversary commemoration at Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv, Ukraine. Joining the UWC leadership and representatives of its international network were President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and First Lady Maryna Poroshenko, Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) and other religious leaders, high-ranking officials from Ukraine, diplomats from around the world, and representatives of Ukrainian civil society.

Speaking on behalf of the UWC, President Eugene Czolij enumerated the UWC’s achievements in furthering Ukrainian interests throughout its 50-year history. He particularly focused on the activities of the over 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora headed by the UWC in support of the restoration and consolidation of Ukrainian statehood, and highlighted the current priorities related to the support of Ukraine in countering Russian aggression, and in the realization of its aspirations for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, in his address, thanked the UWC for its long-standing support of Ukraine and asserted that the UWC is a strong and consolidated voice for Ukraine’s aspirations and its loyal defender worldwide. The President of Ukraine also called for continued active cooperation in the future.

The UWC President presented the President of Ukraine with a symbolic gift – an “Angel of Peace” glass sculpture.

The program of the commemoration included a screening of the short documentary film titled “50 years of the Ukrainian World Congress” and a thematic presentation of the most important stages of the UWC history designed by Art Director Serhii Proskurnia based on material from the travelling exhibit produced by the International Institute for Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations of Lviv Polytechnic National University.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and UWC President Eugene Czolij also had the opportunity to exchange views on further processes related to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

“The over 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora headed by the Ukrainian World Congress will continue to actively promote the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” said UWC President Eugene Czolij.

The addresses of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and UWC President Eugene Czolij can be viewed HERE.

The written address of UWC President Eugene Czolij can be found HERE.

Information on the commemoration of the UWC’s 50^th anniversary at Mystetskyi Arsenal can be found on the website of the President of Ukraine.

In the photo from left: President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko and UWC President E. Czolij

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