On May 8, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, which pays tribute to victims of the 1939-1945 World War II, according to Ukraine Today.
The date coincides with Allies` acceptance of Nazi Germany`s surrender on May 8 in 1945, and this event is usually regarded as a symbolic victory over Nazism, Ukraine Today writes.
The memorial day is a relatively new national holiday for Ukraine. It was introduced just last year.
Ukraine also decided to celebrate 9 May as the day of victory over Nazi forces in the World War II, instead of the traditional Soviet-era Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War. The term `Great Patriotic War` was used in the former USSR to emphasize that in 1941-1945 citizens defended the Soviet Union as their common homeland.
Ukraine`s decision to introduce a new memorial day mirrors modern European tradition and comes in contrast to the triumphalism which characterizes the Russian Federation`s Victory Day celebrations (May 9) under Vladimir Putin, the report notes.
The law says it is a sacred duty of the state and Ukraine`s citizens to respect the victory over Nazis in World War II, veterans, Ukrainian liberation movement and Nazism victims.