Several hundred young men and women gathered to solemnly take the oath.
The Day of the First Plast Oath is an annual Plast event dedicated to the founding of the largest youth organization of Ukraine, Plast, which is celebrating its 111th anniversary this year.
Events on the occasion of the memorial day symbolize the unity of plastuns around the world and loyalty to plastun ideals, traditions and values. That is why yesterday, April 30, all the plastuns of the Lviv region, from the youngest to the oldest, met at the monument to Ivan Franko to solemnly take the oath.
Within the framework of the event, solemn layer ceremonies were held, in particular: tying of scarves of birds and novices (admission to the layer circle), making of the layer oath, awards were given for important layer and socially useful activities, and a quest and a festive bonfire were held.
Ivan Sobko, the deputy head of Lviv OVA, congratulated the participants and wished them success in the future.
“You are the kind of youth that others look up to and who consciously and clearly goes to their goal. It is Plast that fosters love for the native Motherland in the hearts of young Ukrainians. You are the generation that will clearly understand who is our enemy and who is helping us in this difficult time. I wish you only new achievements, constant self-improvement of yourself and your environment, because it is you who will shape the vector of our country’s movement in the future, and I am convinced that it will be the right one,” said Ivan Sobko.
Roman Khimyak, head of the youth and sports department of the Lviv OVA, emphasized the importance of greening Plast.
“Plast is not only about hiking with backpacks or evenings by the fire. First of all, it is about love for God, respect for one’s Motherland and respect for parents. Those who take the oath today should remember that they are doing so especially for those who will never be able to hear or read – those who have come to the eternal guard. Dream, create and develop, because you are representatives of the largest and most effective national public organization not only in Ukraine, but also far beyond its borders,” said Roman Khim’yak.
Also during the event, Ivan Sobko and Roman Khimyak awarded the most active plastuns with thanks on behalf of the head of the Lviv OVA Maksym Kozytskyi.
After the event, the participants laid flowers at the memorial table to the First Plast Pledge in the city of Lviv.
The organizer of the event was the Department of Youth and Sports of the Lviv OVA, the ENT Center “Lviv Regional Plast Center” and the public organization “Lviv Plast District – National Scout Organization of Ukraine”.
For reference:
On April 12, 1912, 10 young men took the oath of allegiance to Ukraine for the first time in Lviv. That is why this day is traditionally considered the organization’s birthday.