May 9th – in Russia this has been “Victory Day” since the end of the Second World War. This was also the case in Ukraine for a long time. In order to distance itself from the attacker, Ukraine postponed the holiday.
The new holiday is another step for Ukraine: a step away from Russia towards Europe. For decades, May 9th was a day of remembrance for the victims of the Second World War in Ukraine, as it was in Russia.
When representatives of the Wehrmacht signed the surrender document in Berlin late in the evening on May 8, 1945, the new day had already dawned in Moscow. For the leaders of the Soviet Union, the time in Moscow was crucial, not in Berlin. Russia did not change anything later.
Ukraine suffered particularly during the Second World War
But today people in Ukraine want to have less to do with Russia than ever. Hence the new memorial day on May 8th – like in most other countries.
25-year-old Chrystyna from Kiev thinks that’s a good thing: “We’re trying to separate ourselves from the Russian world. If we move this date to May 8th – why not?” Her acquaintances from Russia, with whom she had previously been in contact, did not know that Ukrainians also celebrate May 9th – they thought it was just their holiday. “We can emphasize that we too have this day of remembrance and just celebrate it a little earlier.”
Ukraine suffered particularly during the Second World War. Hitler caused more destruction here than in any other European country. Hundreds of cities and thousands of villages were partially or even completely destroyed, and 40 percent of all residential buildings were reduced to rubble. According to official Ukrainian figures, eight to ten million people have died, most of them civilians.
“How can our best friends be so crazy?”
Now Russia is ensuring that there is war again in Ukraine. 91-year-old Dina Schevschenko from Kiev puts it this way: “Those who survived this war thought that nothing could be worse. Would I have thought that at 90 years old I would have to think about it again? How can our best friends be so crazy?”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 8 last year: “All the ancient evil that modern Russia brings back will be defeated, just as Nazism was defeated. Contrary to our ideals, this enemy has renewed aggression and annexation, Occupation and deportation, mass murder and torture. He bombs cities and burns villages. Our victory will be the answer to all of this.”
Zelensky’s initiative
It was Zelensky’s will to make May 8 a public holiday. Since 2016, this day has been celebrated in Ukraine as a “Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation”, and May 9th has traditionally been celebrated as “Day of Victory over National Socialism”. Zelensky suggested combining both days of commemoration and scheduling them on May 8th. The Ukrainian parliament passed a law on the new holiday at the end of May last year.
While Putin honors the end of the war with a military parade in Moscow, the commemoration in Ukraine takes place in silence. Here we remember not only the crimes of the Nazi regime, but also those of the communists.
The change in holidays is still unusual, especially for older Ukrainians, as it breaks decades of habits. However, the majority of the population apparently has Zelenskyj behind him: in a survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology from January 2023, 62 percent of those surveyed were in favor of commemorating the end of the Second World War on May 8th. Only 22 percent wanted to stick to May 9th.
May 9th now “Europe Day”
The passers-by Andrij and Jelysaveta also generally think it’s a good thing: “It’s a part of the culture that brings us closer to the Western world. I think every person goes where they feel more comfortable, on one side or the other. That’s just human,” says Andrij.
Yelytsaveta has no problem with the holiday being moved, but she doesn’t believe it will bring about fundamental changes: “I mean, it’s different from Russian traditions and we have to break away from them somehow.”
But May 9th will also be a special day in Ukraine – even if it is not a public holiday. The country will then celebrate “Europe Day” like other European countries. President Zelenskyj decided this by decree a year ago. The goal: “To strengthen the unity of the peoples of Europe and to ensure peace and stability on the European continent.” Another step towards Europe.
Marc Dugge, ARD Kiev, tagesschau, May 8, 2024 10:34 a.m