On March 9th, 2011, on the occasion of 197th Anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s Birthday, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Olexander Motsyk laid flowers to the Statue of Taras Shevchenko in Washington D.C. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian-American community as well as Ukrainian diplomats.

At the beginning of this event all participants performed a joint prayer under the leadership of priests from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States.

Speaking to the audience after the lay-flowers ceremony, Ambassador Motsyk emphasized on a significant role played by Taras Shevchenko in re-establishment of the Ukrainian statehood and maintaining national identity of Ukrainians all over the world. Ambassador also underlined the Great Kobzar’s contribution into the world cultural heritage.