Zelensky presented the National Legend of Ukraine awards. Usyk, Harlan, and Parajanov are among the awardees

On the eve of the National Flag Day and Independence Day of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska honored outstanding people with the National Legend of Ukraine award, UNN reports citing the OP.

The Head of State emphasized that despite Russia's aggression, the values that are the foundation of this award remained unchanged.

"This is respect. This is honor. This is dignity. This is how the state of Ukraine says thank you to its people, its heroes, its legends. To those who are among us and whom we should appreciate. Those who, unfortunately, are not with us. We all have to remember them. Legends who inspire us. Legends that the world applauds. And I would like us to applaud our Ukrainian legends now," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

This year, the President honored 11 people with the National Legend of Ukraine award.

This is:

Ihor Poklad is an outstanding composer, People's Artist and Hero of Ukraine. He is the author of more than 150 songs, musical performances, and scores for more than 40 Ukrainian films and animated movies.

General Designer - Director General of the Luch Design Bureau, full holder of the Order of Merit, Hero of Ukraine Oleh Korostelev. He was directly involved in the development of Stugna, Vilkha and the Neptune missile.

The most titled Ukrainian athlete: two-time Olympic sabre fencing champion, six-time world champion, eight-time European champion Olga Harlan.

Vitaliy Khmel is a thoracic surgeon. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, he has performed more than a hundred complex surgeries on wounded soldiers, and saved the lives of more than 50 defenders during evacuation flights.

Brigadier General of the SBU Military Counterintelligence Ivan Lukashevych, call sign Hunter. Ideologist of the Sea Baby marine drones. He is the developer of the "Lord of the Horizon" sniper rifle, which set a world record for an accurate shot at the occupier from a distance of 3800 meters.

Iryna Yurchenko is a conductor at Ukrzaliznytsia. On February 25, 2022, she went on duty and worked on evacuation flights for weeks. At the time, her son Dmytro Kozatskyi, with the call sign Orest, was holding the line at Azovstal in Mariupol.

Ukrainian painter, graphic artist and monumentalist, honorary member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine Oleksandr Dubovyk. He is a representative of the "unofficial" art of the Soviet era. The author's works are kept in the National Art Museum of Ukraine, museums in the USA, Germany, and in private collections.

Howard Buffett is an American businessman, philanthropist, and the largest private donor to Ukraine. His foundation has spent more than $500 million to help Ukrainians. These funds were used, among other things, to provide food to the victims, restore buildings, help farmers, train sappers, and provide prosthetics to veterans.

Oleksandr Usyk is a Ukrainian boxer, Olympic champion, and absolute world heavyweight champion. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, his foundation has been helping affected families. He held seven charity auctions and transferred about $740 thousand to support the Ukrainian army.

The award was posthumously given to Sergei Parajanov and Nina Matvienko.

Serhiy Parajanov is a Ukrainian and Armenian film director and screenwriter. He has created almost 20 feature films and documentaries. His film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors has won 39 international awards and 28 prizes at film festivals around the world.

Nina Matvienko is a People's Artist of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine. Her repertoire includes many folk songs. She has also written books, performed in TV and radio shows, and toured the United States, Canada, France, Poland, South Korea, Mexico, and Latin America.

The National Legend of Ukraine award was introduced in 2021. Since then, the President has been annually recognizing with this award people who have made a contribution to the establishment of independent Ukraine and the defense of our country, the development of the national economy, science, education, culture, art, sports, healthcare, as well as for active charitable and public activities.

The full TV version of the award ceremony will be broadcast on the national TV marathon "United News" on August 25.