The activity of the Prosvita Society is forever inscribed in the history of the Ukrainian state creation - President congratulated the Society on the 150th anniversary of establishment
"We have convened on a remarkable date in this hall. Exactly 150 years ago, on December 8, 1868, the Prosvita Society was founded in Lviv. Without exaggeration we can say that this date and this name are forever written in the history of state creation. For this event meant the creation of our national home over then-borders, when our Homeland was still divided between different empires. The empires fell afterwards. And we were, are and will remain Ukrainians," President Petro Poroshenko addressed the participants at the solemn meeting on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Prosvita Society during the working visit to Lviv region.
The Head of State noted that the Prosvita figures rose above the imperial boundaries and saw a single Ukrainian people with its historical roots, its own language, original cultural traditions. "Unity of the Ukrainian people from the Carpathians to the Kuban and its difference from the nations of Poland and Russia," is the credo of the Prosvita, which was formulated at its first meeting by Anatole Vakhnianyn. The Society did not retreat from that to a single iota,” he said.
According to him, we are teaching the new Ukrainian army, the new Armed Forces on the historical examples of heroism in the struggle for the independence of Ukraine. "Ukraine has a new army - well-trained, equipped with weapons, professional, patriotic, with enough abilities to deter Russian aggression. It is already among the best armies in Europe, it is moving closer to NATO standards, gaining experience and ability to win," he said.
Petro Poroshenko added that this year the official greetings of our Armed Forces became: "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!".
"These words unite us with all generations who fought for independent Ukraine," he said.
The Head of State noted that representatives of the Prosvita Society have always done and continue to do a great deal, as Ukraine still needs their care, experience, strength and energy.
