May 26 — Kyiv City Day

The appearance of the first man on the territory of modern Kyiv dates back to more than twenty thousand years ago – this is the period of the ancient stone age. The history describes the well-known Cyril parking lot, which was located in the northwestern part of the city.

According to legend, the famous Kyiv was created at the end of the fifth century AD by three brothers – they were Kyi, Chek and Horiv, as well as their sister Lybid. The official date of foundation of our capital is 482. Quite a number of different tribes were united around Kyiv – the Polyans, the Severians, the Uglichians, the Drevlians, and the Tiverians. Already in 988, Volodymyr introduced Christianity in Kyivan Rus. It was this act that contributed to the development of political and cultural ties with other countries — the Byzantine Empire, Bulgaria, Europe, and others. In the eleventh century, about four hundred temples functioned in Kyiv, there were eight markets, and about fifty thousand citizens lived there. After the death of Volodymyr Monomakh, the disintegration of Kyivan Rus began. 1240 — Kyiv was destroyed by the army of Khan Baty. In the fourteenth century, Kyiv began to recover, and already in the fifteenth century it was given Magdeburg law, which meant greater independence in international trade. At that time, various colonies appeared in the city – Greek, Polish, Turkish and мoscow merchants, as well as Armenians.

In the eighteenth century, Kyiv became the center and symbol of Orthodoxy. After the October coup, three governments changed in the city, Ukraine was already gaining its independence step by step. During the Second World War, the main city of the country was completely destroyed. Ukrainian soldiers heroically defended Kyiv for seventy-two days. In September 1941, German occupation troops entered the city. Another tragic page of the capital is Babin Yar, where hundreds of thousands of Jews were shot on September 29, 1941. Two camps were built by the Nazis near Kyiv. Over two hundred thousand people were killed in the city during the war. As late as November 1943, Kyiv was deoccupied. The post-war years were a time when Kyiv was recovering at a fairly fast pace.

When do residents of Kyiv celebrate Kyiv Day? Kyiv Day was first celebrated in May 1982. Since 1984, various festive events have been held at Andriiivsky Uzvoz. Since 1987, the last day of May has become the official Day of the city of Kyiv. Kyiv Day celebration, how it is held and what interesting events are worth attending. The celebration of the City Day lasts for several days. A variety of sports events are held – cycling competitions, the annual “Run under the chestnut trees”, beach soccer, a kite festival, kickboxing and roller sports tournaments.

During the holiday, you can visit with the whole family – an exhibition of spring flowers in the botanical garden, theaters where performances specially prepared for Kyiv Day are shown, a big festive concert is held in the main square of Kyiv – Maidan Nezalezhnosti, with the participation of famous artists of Ukraine. The traditional end of the celebration was a fireworks show with laser effects over the Dnieper. Kyiv Day 2024 will not be celebrated as spectacularly as in previous years, but interesting events of various directions will be held for all guests of the city. Although there is a war in the country, May 26 is Kyiv Day – a date with which you can congratulate all citizens.