President left for Kaniv to mark Shevchenko’s reburial

The President Victor Yushchenko has left for a one-day visit to Kaniv (Cherkasy region) to mark the 146th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s reburial and participate in a session of the Ukrainian Cossack Council, president's press office informs.

Accompanied by First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko, the President Victor Yushchenko laid flowers on the Monument of Glory in Kaniv and observed one minute of silence to honor Ukraine’s heroes.

Then the President and his family attended a church service in the local Assumption Cathedral, which is now being restored. Archbishop Sofroniy of Cherkasy and Kaniv led the service. The Ukrainian leader gave the cathedral an icon.

Victor Yushchenko is now participating in a march to mark the 146th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s reburial. The procession involves political and public leaders, school pupils and students.

The President and his wife are expected to lay flowers on the monument to Ivan Pidkova . They will then lay flowers on Shevchenko’s grave on Chernecha Hora and visit the first museum of the Kobzar, built on public donations in 1884. Back then a cast-iron cross was unveiled on the poet’s grave.