Ukraine’s Constitution Day 2026: history, interesting facts and events in Kyiv
To mark the occasion, dozens of cultural, educational, commemorative and artistic events have been organised in Kyiv. This was announced by the Kyiv City State Administration.
How Constitution Day will be celebrated in Kyiv
Traditionally, on 28 June, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the monument to Hetman Pylyp Orlyk.
From 17:00 to 20:00, a themed event marking the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Ukraine will take place outside the Kyiv City Council building. An LED screen will display archive photographs and video footage on the adoption of the Constitution, the development of Ukrainian constitutionalism and the history of Ukrainian statehood.
Museums, libraries and archives across the capital will be taking part in the celebrations. Themed exhibitions dedicated to the Constitution of Ukraine, the history of state-building and the development of Ukrainian law will be open to visitors. Lectures, quizzes, themed meetings, conferences and creative events will be held for children and young people.
In addition, bus and walking tours will be organised in the capital, and the ‘Spivoche Pole’ cultural and arts complex will host a gala concert as part of the ‘Formidable’ international festival and competition. Festive events will also take place in all districts of Kyiv.
Why is Constitution Day celebrated on 28 June?
On the night of 27–28 June 1996, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine worked for almost 24 hours without a break, considering thousands of amendments to the draft Constitution. After lengthy discussions, MPs approved the document by 315 votes.
The Constitution enshrined Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, defined the principles of the organisation of power, state symbols, the status of the Ukrainian language, as well as the rights, freedoms and duties of citizens.
Since then, 28 June has been a public holiday and the only public holiday enshrined directly in the Constitution of Ukraine itself.
Pylyp Orlyk’s Constitution: one of the most important monuments of Ukrainian constitutionalism
The Ukrainian tradition of constitutionalism began long before the adoption of the Constitution of independent Ukraine.
On 16 April 1710, Hetman Pylyp Orlyk drew up the document ‘Pacts and Constitutions of the Laws and Liberties of the Zaporizhian Host’. It is regarded as one of the most famous European constitutional acts of the 18th century and an important monument to Ukrainian political and legal thought.
The document defined the organisation of power, limited the hetman’s powers, provided for the activities of the General Council, and outlined the rights of the Zaporizhian Host. For its time, it was an attempt to establish a system of state governance based on the separation of powers, mutual accountability and the rule of law.
Although, due to historical circumstances, this document was never put into practice, it marked an important step in the formation of the Ukrainian democratic tradition and the pursuit of statehood.
Today, three decades after the adoption of the Constitution of independent Ukraine, Constitution Day serves as a reminder not only of the state’s Basic Law, but also of the centuries-old tradition of Ukrainian statehood, which took shape long before the restoration of independence in 1991.
Follow us on our Telegram channel
