Today we honor
Ukrainian heritage with a reimagining of our logo as a traditional Ukrainian rushnyk.
Embroidery has ancient roots in Ukraine, and so does the cultural significance
of the kalyna digitally stitched into the center of today’s Doodle.
This flowery shrub features prominently in Ukrainian literature, music, and
folklore as a symbol of posterity and irrevocable family bonds, and often
appears on the rushnyks sewn to celebrate Ukrainian births and
weddings.
Kiev
Celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day
Thousands of servicemen marched in downtown Kiev on Monday to
mark Ukraine's Independence Day.
The troops carried rifles but, unlike
last year, the parade did not feature any of the more powerful weaponry which
could be viewed as sensitive as Ukraine
is mired in a conflict between government forces and Russia-backed separatists.
The conflict in the east, which has claimed more than
6,800 lives since it began in April 2014, saw a major uptick in violence last
week with nine civilians and soldiers killed in just one day.
Speaking at the parade, President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine would
continue to increase its troop numbers in order to fend off the attacks of
separatist rebels.
The press office of the Ukrainian military operation in the
east said Monday that the rebels violated the cease-fire 82 times overnight, in
some cases with large-caliber weapons that should have been withdrawn in line
with a truce signed in February.
In Rome, Pope Francis made his latest appeal for the end
of fighting on the eve of the Independence Day.
"I renew my heartfelt appeal, so
that the commitments undertaken to achieve pacification are respected, and with
the help of organizations and people of good will, the humanitarian emergency
in the country is responded to," Francis told tens of thousands of people
gathered Sunday at the Vatican in St. Peter's Square for his traditional window
appearance. "May the Lord give peace to the beloved Ukrainian land, which
is preparing to celebrate the national holiday tomorrow."
