Day of Dignity and Freedom Wishes

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The Day of Dignity and Freedom is marked every year on 21 November. It was established by Presidential Decree No. 872/2014 to honour two revolutions: the Orange Revolution that began in November 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity that began on 21 November 2013. It is a day of both gratitude and remembrance, so wishes should be sincere and restrained. Below are short and formal words, wishes for family and defenders, poems and flowers for the day. Wishes for other holidays of the year are in our holiday wishes calendar.

Other national holidays: Constitution Day, Unity Day, Independence Day.

Short wishes for the Day of Dignity and Freedom

• Happy Day of Dignity and Freedom! May the freedom people stood for on the Maidan always stay with us.
• Greetings on the day of dignified and free people. Peace, faith and victory!
• We remember, we honour, we believe. Happy Day of Dignity and Freedom, Ukraine!
• May each of us choose dignity every day, in big things and small.

Wishes for family and friends

• My dear family, thank you for choosing freedom together. May our home always have peace and respect for one another.
• My friend, I remember how we froze on the Maidan and believed in something better. May that faith never fade.
• I wish our children to grow up in a country where human dignity comes first.

Wishes for defenders

• You continue the path that began on the Maidan. Thank you for every day of freedom — come home victorious!
• Dignity and freedom rest on your shoulders today. Take care, our heroes.
• Happy holiday to our defenders! May luck be by your side and peace come as soon as possible.

Formal wishes

• Dear compatriots! We congratulate you on the Day of Dignity and Freedom. This day reminds us that Ukrainians can defend their choice and their right to live in a free European state.
• We bow our heads to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and all who gave their lives for freedom. We wish peace, unity and victory.

Wishes for colleagues

• Colleagues, may dignity and honesty be the foundation of our work together. Happy holiday!
• I wish everyone freedom of thought, respect in the team and faith that together we can do anything.

What to write on a holiday card

• Happy holiday! May your home always be filled with warmth, peace and joy.
• Best wishes! Bright thoughts, good health and people around you worth celebrating with.
• May this day bring calm and every day after it a reason to smile.
• With warmth and best wishes to you and your family on this holiday!

A small bouquet goes well with a card: flowers turn even a few lines into a special gift.

Greeting loved ones from afar

• A video call — agree on a good time so the whole family can talk without rushing.
• A voice message — a real voice feels warmer than text, especially for grandparents.
• Flower delivery — a bouquet with a card delivered on the holiday morning makes a lovely surprise.
• A family video — collect short wishes from all your relatives and send them as one clip.

Poems for the Day of Dignity and Freedom

November cold, the Maidan square,
Hot tea and songs till morning light, —
We didn't know what waited there,
But we believed it would be bright.

For dignity we stood, for freedom we came,
The Heavenly Hundred still shines from above, —
We carry their memory, honour their name
And build a free country with courage and love.

Flowers for the Day of Dignity and Freedom

On this day people bring flowers to the memorials of the Heavenly Hundred — traditionally red roses or carnations. For greeting family and colleagues, restrained arrangements in blue and yellow or classic roses in a box are appropriate.

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See flowers in a box and red roses.

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FAQ

When is the Day of Dignity and Freedom?

Every year on 21 November.

Why 21 November?

The Revolution of Dignity began on 21 November 2013, and the Orange Revolution in November 2004.

Is it appropriate to send wishes on this day?

Yes, but in a restrained tone: it is both a holiday and a day of remembrance for the Heavenly Hundred.

The Third Most Pure feast: Presentation of the Theotokos wishes (21 November).

21 November is also the paratroopers' holiday. Here are Air Assault Forces Day wishes.

The volunteer movement also began on the Maidan: on 14 March 2014 self-defence fighters left to form the first battalion. See Ukrainian Volunteer Day wishes.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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