National Symbols

Ukraine has the State Coat of Arms, Flag and Anthem. These are attributes of a sovereign state. Since ancient times the Ukrainian people, the princes used the blue and the yellow colours for national banner. People see different meanings in the colours. One sees the colours of the golden sun and the blue sky, others- the golden corn under the blue sky.

The golden Trident has also become the national emblem and a symbol of power of princes and kings at those times. It is thought to be a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

Some people see the Tridents as the initial letters of the first princes: Ihor, Oleh, Yaroslav the Wise and Volodymyr the Great.

Still others think that the Trident includes the letters of Ukraine. It together with the blue and yellow flag has serve for many generations as a symbol of the Ukrainian struggle for independence.

The national anthem of Ukraine “Ukraine has not perished yet” was created by Mykhailo Verbytskyi and Pavlo Chubynskyi in the 19^th century. It has a catchy melody and patriotic text. In conclusion it is necessary to mention that citizens of Ukraine must respect national symbols of the country.

Ukraine - Independent European State

The country we live in is Ukraine. We say that our country is an independent state.

And more than 140 countries in the world acknowledged our sovereignty.

Ukraine was proclaimed the independent state when the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Ukraine on the 16^th of July, 1990 in Kyiv.

Ukraine is the Independent state because we have:

1. state boarders, Ukraine boarders on Russia, Moldova, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland; Belorus.

2. the main law of the state-the Constitution of Ukraine which was adopted on the 28^th of June, 1996 by the Verhovna Rada

3. the state emblem, flag, and anthem;

4. the national currency;

5. the armed forces of Ukraine;

6. the own taxation system;

7. the state language-Ukrainian;

8. the three branches of power.

Legislative branch is the Verkhovna Rada consisting of 450 members.

Executive branch is the President and The Cabinet of Ministers.

Judicial branch is the system of courts headed by the Supreme Court of Ukraine;

9. Ukraine pursues its own independent domestic and foreign policy.

It has diplomatic relations with many countries of the world.

We all know that our state is a country with great, ancient history, unique culture, wonderful customs and traditions, with hardworking and patient people, rich natural resourses, great technical and scientific potential. Unfortunatly now we have too many problems in all spheres of life.

To overcome all the difficulties we all must work very hard, be persistent, patient.

And we hope, we trust that in future our motherland will be really democratic, independent and mightly state.

Answer the questions.

1. What country do you live in?

2. How many countries in the world acknowledged the sovereignty of Ukraine?

3. When was Ukraine proclaimed the independent state?

4. What is the main law of the country? When was it adopted?

5. What countries does Ukraine boarder on?

6. What is the state language in Ukraine?

7. What are the branches of state power in Ukraine?

8. What belongs to the legislative branch of power?

9. What belongs to the executive branch of power?

10. What belong to the judicial branch of power?

11. Who is the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine?

12. Who is the President of Ukraine?

13. Who is the Prime-Minister of Ukraine?

14. Who is the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine?

15. What kind of policy does Ukraine pursue?

16. What do you know about the history, culture, customs and traditions of Ukraine?