Ukraine has started to use European symbol of memory and respect to the dead in the World War II – red poppy. Graphic representation, red poppy reminds blood trace of the bullet. It shows deepest meaning of the war: suffering, death, heroism, millions of victims. 

Red poppy was used in state ceremonies in Kyiv, in particular it was used by all government officials lead by the Prime Minister of Ukraine A.Yatseniuk.

First time in its history, Ukraine started to honore dead in the World War II on May 8 together with Europe and the world, on a day of the nazi Germany surrender. Commemoration continued on May 9.

“First minute of peace” event took place on May 8. Participants of the event, including government officials, director of the Ukrainian National Memory Institute Dr.Volodymyr Viatrovych, Minister of Culure of Ukraine Yevhen Nyschuk, have honored countrymen killed in the struggle with nazism no matter which formation they belonged to: Red Army, Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or Anti-Hitler coalition countries armies.

This way Ukraine widens commemoration of the war which is not to happen again.

Added 13.05.2014