Ukraine marks 22nd Independence day

Ukraine celebrated the 22nd anniversary of its independence on Saturday, with fireworks, concerts, open-air competitions, flower exhibitions taking place across the country. President Viktor Yanukovych addressed the nation on the occasion and urged Ukrainians to unite for the sake of an economically powerful, democratic and independent country. "Today, our country makes every effort to achieve economic stability and prosperity. Ukraine has passed a long way, which is a convincing evidence of our ability to independently and accountably develop our own independent state," Yanukovych was quoted by his press service as saying. Yanukovych, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Ukrainian Parliamentary Speaker Volodymyr Rybak, government officials and citizens attended a flower-laying ceremony at the monuments to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko and Ukrainian politician and scholar Mykhailo Hrushevsky to commemorate the event in the capital. Celebrations were being held in 820 cities and towns across the country. Thousands of Ukrainians, many of whom dressed in national costumes, gathered in downtown Kiev to take part in competitions, such as sports, quizzes, singing and dancing contests. The celebrations will culminate in a series of concerts featuring folk songs and pop stars, and a major firework display late in the evening. Ukraine declared independence on Aug. 24, 1991 after the disintegration of the former Soviet Union.