We are one country, we are one family, and together with our Kobzar Taras we are here,” claimed Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov, giving a speech at the meeting on the occasion of the 200th birth anniversary of the Great Kobzar, that was held on Sunday.
“We have come here today to pay tribute and bow our heads to the main Hero of Ukraine – Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko. Our great prophet for 200 years has been leading his people from captivity to freedom, to a true, powerful state that Ukrainians will be proud of wherever they live – here or somewhere else,” stressed Oleksandr Turchynov.
He emphasized that “Taras has always been with his people when Ukrainians experienced difficult times, when they were fighting for freedom.” “And at the Maidan he was with us, he made speeches from the stage, he protected women and children on barricades of Hrushevskoho and Instytutska, he was under bullets, among explosions of grenades,” said the Chairman of the Parliament, suggesting to commemorate heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine with a moment of silence.
According to Oleksandr Turchynov, now the word of truth, the word of Kobzar’s faith “help us build Ukraine, restore Ukrainian government, stop discord and confrontation, recover completely ruined economy.” “And when today the aggressor is threatening our land, Taras is together with us in the ranks. With him, with his “keep fighting—you are sure to win,” that has become our slogan, our weapon, we will win as the truth, the God, Ukraine and our Great Taras are with us,” he claimed.
“I thank God that he granted Ukraine such a great prophet. Glory to God, glory to Taras, glory to Ukraine!” said Oleksandr Turchynov.