In Ukraine, January 22 is celebrated as Unity Day.

The Day of Unity of Ukraine serves as a reminder that the strength of our nation lies in its unity. Today marks the 106th anniversary of the Act of Unification – the day when Ukrainians, separated by borders, came together to establish a free, independent, and unified Ukraine.

On January 22, 1919, the Act of Unification of the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) and the West Ukrainian People's Republic (WUPR) was proclaimed in Sofia Square in Kyiv. This event became a symbol of the joint struggle of Ukrainians for independence and the unity of their lands.

The main custom of the Day of Unity is the gathering of people to form a living chain. This tradition began in 1990, when Ukrainians first came together in this manner to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Act of Reunification. The chain stretched over 770 kilometers – from Ivano-Frankivsk to Kyiv. More than 3 million people participated in the event.

Since then, the living chain has become an annual tradition of the Day of Unity.