Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, hopes that Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Birth and the 150th Anniversary of Death of Taras Shevchenko will open a New Chapter in the Relations between Ukraine and Russia

27 October 2010, 19:06

Publish

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, hopes that Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Birth and the 150th Anniversary of Death of Taras Shevchenko will open a New Chapter in the Relations between Ukraine and Russia

 

V. Lytvyn delivered a speech at the sitting of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations in Saint Petersburg dedicated to the implementation of the Resolution "On Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Birth and the 150th Anniversary of Death of Taras Shevchenko." V. Lytvyn declared that the Great Kobzar was not only a poet, but he also belonged to ‘the cohort of lords of thoughts and human hopes´. "It is obvious that the 200th anniversary of his birth and the 150th anniversary of his death would be celebrated both in Ukraine and far beyond its borders. These dates are of the global significance, casting light on the ever-lasting human ideas", he stated.

 

According to the Head of the Parliament, the resolution of the 35th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Ukraine envisages a wide-scope and diverse celebration. V. Lytvyn informed that several respective documents had been adopted, namely, The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Resolution, the Decree of the President of Ukraine and the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. He claimed, "An extended Action Plan on these memorable dates is being drafted."

 

V. Lytvyn called for maintaining Shevchenko National Museum in Kaniv, arranging the museum exposition about the poet´s home, and restoring his tomb. "This place is not only a historical monument, but also an immortal memory that Shevchenko´s life and activity have always influenced the future generations", the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament declared.

 

Establishment of the International Cultural-Information Center "Shevchenkivskii Dim" is another essential undertaking. "This issue is under discussion", he explained. Several events to be held are connected with literature and art, V. Lytvyn announced.

 

"Furthermore, our diplomatic corps will support the celebration with the assistance of Ukrainian diaspora and community all over the world", V. Lytvyn stressed.

 

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasised that the celebration would take place under the patronage of the Presidents of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

 

The Head of the Parliament also declared that Ukraine would always remember the noble deeds of the people who took active part in the dramatic and heroic destiny of T. Shevchenko. "It was a sign of real brotherhood. Ukraine respects it as a holy testament of the Great Kobzar. They acted together, although they have always born in mind that each nation has the right to live and create its culture. I am convinced that these dates appeal to our common achievements and remind that we must act in the interests of all the people in the world", V. Lytvyn concluded.

 

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to the Kazakh and Russian colleagues for their respect for the memory of Kobzar.

 

On 27-28 October, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stays with a working visit in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) to participate in the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations.

 

Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, participates in the 35th sitting of IPA CIS Council and international interparliamentary conference dedicated to the presidency of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the OSCE.

 

According to the program of the visit, V. Lytvyn meets Sergey Mironov, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, Ural Mukhamedzhanov, and Chairman of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Sergey Antufiev, Governor of the Smolensk region of the Russian Federation.

 

The Ukrainian parliamentary delegation consists of the Chairman of the Subcommittee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Fighting Organized Crime and Corruption, Chairman of the Standing Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in IPA CIS Ivan Vernydubov and Chairman of the Subcommittee of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Foreign Affairs, Deputy Chairman of Standing Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in IPA CIS Oleksii Lohvynenko.