On the eve of Ukraineʼs Independence Day, the President declared the laureates of the "National Legend" award.
In the list:
- Svyatoslav Vakarchuk is a singer, musician, leader of the band "Okean Elzy". He is a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development Program for Youth in Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Horbulin is the First Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the First Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, the Hero of Ukraine. One of the authors of the Concept of National Security and Defense of Ukraine, the First National Space Program, and the Strategy for the Construction and Development of the Armed Forces.
- Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, who developed and implemented the unique military operation "Spiderʼs Web".
- Serge Lifar (posthumously) — ballet dancer, choreographer. In 1922, Serge Lifar emigrated from Kyiv to Paris, worked his way from a corps de ballet dancer to a soloist, and in 1929 he headed the ballet troupe of the Grand Opera. This year, Ukraine celebrates the 120th anniversary of his birth. The award will be presented to the Kyiv Academy of Dance named after Serge Lifar.
- Yaroslava Mahuchikh is a track and field athlete, Olympic champion, multiple world and European champion, and world record holder in high jump. Last year, she won Olympic gold and was recognized as the best track and field athlete in the world. The award will be presented upon her return to Ukraine from abroad.
- Lyudmila Monastyrska is an opera singer, soloist of the Taras Shevchenko National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine.
- Anatoliy Kryvolap is an artist, master of non-figurative painting and landscape, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine. He has twice set world records for the sale of works of contemporary Ukrainian art on the international art market.
- Andriy Semyankiv is the commander of a medical company, captain of the medical service, writer. He provided assistance to almost 6 thousand wounded soldiers.
- James Konstantin Temertey is a Canadian entrepreneur of Ukrainian origin, philanthropist. After the start of the full-scale war, he financed a program for students and teachers from Ukraine in Toronto, supported the Olena Zelenska Foundation in helping residents of the liberated territories, and donated a million dollars for generators for Ukrainian hospitals.
- Vasyl Zinkevych is a singer, Peopleʼs Artist of Ukraine, the Hero of Ukraine. It was performed by the trio "Smerichka" consisting of Vasyl Zinkevych, Nazariy Yaremchuk and Volodymyr Ivasyuk that first performed the song "Chervona Ruta".
- The National Legend Award is awarded for personal merits in the establishment of independent Ukraine, personal merits in strengthening its statehood, defending the homeland and serving the Ukrainian people, as well as for a significant contribution to the development of the national economy, science, education, culture, art, sports, healthcare, and for active charitable and public activities. It can be received not only by citizens of Ukraine, but also by foreigners and stateless persons.
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