“A matter of national importance”

President Petro Poroshenko emphasizes that the nation’s memory must preserve the events of the Revolution of Dignity, which will remind the generations to come about the price paid for their freedom, according to the president’s website.

“Thus the perpetuation of the memory of the Heavenly Hundred’s heroes and of the Revolution of Dignity is a matter of national importance. Building the Heavenly Hundred’s Memorial as a site of national remembrance should become a nation-wide effort,” said Poroshenko at the memorial ceremony for the heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

The president remarked that past year he expressed a common feeling that the Alley of Heavenly Hundred’s Heroes could be the only passing site for the memorial. “I am absolutely convinced of this,” added he.

“In fact, the spot where we are now has already become sacred for every Ukrainian, without exception. It has become a true shrine,” remarked Poroshenko.

At the same time the president stressed that he had to interfere in the cobwebs of mundane laws in order to “cut the Gordian knot that caused an impasse in the debate concerning ownership of this parcel.” He thanked the municipal legislators of Kyiv and Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who had already passed the important decision which at last enables the building of the memorial.

“Finally the question of choosing the best design and the construction of the memorial moves up to a very practical dimension. Now we need everyone, including society and government, to join efforts and immediately hold an international competition, develop a design, and then it is the question of beginning and completion of the project,” said Poroshenko.