September 29: holidays and events on this day

On September 29, the Day of Remembrance of the Babi Yar Tragedy, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and the International Day of Information on Food Losses and Food Waste are celebrated.

The Day of Remembrance of the Babyny Yar Tragedy

This day is one of the most painful and tragic pages of Ukrainian history. This day reminds of the terrible events that happened during the Second World War, when during two days, September 29 and 30, 1941, the Nazis shot about 34 thousand Jews – men, women and children – in Babyny Yar. The tragedy of Babi Yar became a symbol of cruelty, hatred and mass extermination of innocent people.

All the Jews of Kyiv were ordered to gather near the cemetery with documents, jewelry and warm clothes. People were tricked into believing that they would be resettled, but in reality they were being taken to Babiny Yar to be shot.

During the following years, not only Jews were killed in Babi Yar, but also representatives of other nationalities, including Ukrainians, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and underground prisoners. In general, during the occupation of Kiev by the Nazis, 70 to 100 thousand people died in Babi Yar, according to various estimates.

At the end of 1943, before the liberation of Kiev by Soviet troops, the Nazis tried to hide their crimes. They forced the prisoners from the concentration camps to dig up the bodies of the murdered and burn them so that no traces of the mass murders would remain. After completing this work, all the prisoners were also shot.

After the end of the war, during the Soviet period, the tragedy of Baby Yar was kept quiet for a long time. A memorial at the site of the mass shootings was created only in 1976, but it did not take into account the ethnic composition of the victims, which caused outrage among the Jewish community and the international community.

In independent Ukraine, active efforts have begun to create a memorial complex that would reflect the full depth of the Babyny Yar tragedy. Now it is a place of commemoration of the dead and a reminder of the horrors of war. The memorial complex includes monuments to various groups of victims: Jews, Roma, Ukrainian patriots and others.

The tragedy of Babi Yar is one of the most famous symbols of the Holocaust in the world. In 2016, Ukraine and Israel initiated the “Babyn Yar – Road Map of Memory” project, which aims to create a modern museum complex dedicated to this tragedy.

In 2021, the memorial object “Crystal Weeping Wall” was opened in Kyiv according to the project of the artist Maryna Abramovych. This installation is a symbol of mourning and memory of the dead, as well as a call to awareness of the consequences of hatred and intolerance.

International Day of Migrants and Refugees

This day was established by the Catholic Church to draw attention to the problems of people who are forced to leave their homes due to war, persecution or economic hardship. Today, this day is an opportunity to remember the millions of migrants and refugees around the world who are seeking safety and better living conditions.

Interesting facts

This day was celebrated for the first time at the initiative of Pope Pius X, who sought to draw attention to the plight of Italian emigrants who, at the beginning of the 20th century, left their homeland en masse in search of a better life in America and other countries.

Each year, the Pope sets a theme for this day to highlight a specific aspect of the lives of migrants and refugees. For example, in 2023 the theme was “Free to choose: persecution or hope?”, and in 2024 – “Migrants and refugees – builders of the future.”

According to the UN, as of 2023, the number of people who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution or human rights violations will exceed 100 million. This is the largest number of displaced persons since World War II.

Migrants often make significant contributions to host countries, including economic development, cultural diversity and demographic improvement. For example, in the US, immigrants make up about 16% of the workforce and make a large contribution to the development of industries such as technology, science and medicine.

Every year there is an increase in negative attitudes towards migrants in some countries, which is connected with political and economic factors. However, numerous studies show that migrants are not only not a threat, but can also become an important resource for economic growth and social stability.

According to international law, refugees are recognized as persons who have left their country due to well-founded fears of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a certain social group or political beliefs. The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 enshrines the fundamental rights of refugees and the obligations of states to protect them.

One of the main problems today is that most refugees are forced to stay in developing countries, where living conditions are often much worse than in developed countries. This creates additional pressure on the resources and social structures of these states.

In connection with military operations and the occupation of part of the territories, since 2014, Ukraine has also become a country that receives refugees, mostly internally displaced persons. As of 2024, more than 5 million Ukrainians have become refugees or displaced persons due to the war.

International Food Loss and Food Waste Awareness Day

This day was established by the United Nations in 2019 with the aim of drawing attention to the problem of irrational use of food products. The day is designed to raise awareness of global food loss, the need to reduce waste and ensure sustainable nutrition for all.

Interesting facts

About 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted worldwide each year—roughly a third of all food produced for human consumption. This amount of food would be enough to feed almost 2 billion people.

Food losses occur at all stages of the supply chain — from production and harvesting to transportation, storage and sale of products. The main reasons are inadequate infrastructure, poor demand planning, storage and transportation problems, and low consumer awareness.

Food waste is not only an economic problem, but also an environmental one. They cause greenhouse gas emissions because landfills rot, releasing methane, a gas that is 25 times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. If food waste were a country, it would become the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States.

Most food waste is generated at the household level. According to estimates, each European throws away approximately 70-90 kg of food per year. Most often, these are products that simply spoiled due to improper storage or were purchased in excess.

Food waste carries significant financial losses for both producers and consumers. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that global economic losses from food waste are about $940 billion per year.

More and more countries are implementing legislative initiatives to reduce food waste. For example, in France there is a law that obliges supermarkets to donate unsold but still usable products to charity. This allows not only to reduce the amount of waste, but also to help those in need.

Many countries have initiatives to redistribute food that would otherwise be thrown away. For example, they collect surplus food from restaurants and shops and distribute it to the homeless and the needy.

Historical events on this day

1515 year – an agreement on “eternal peace” was signed between France and Switzerland, which laid the foundations for long-term peaceful relations between the two countries.

1739 year – the Treaty of Belgrade was concluded between the Ottoman and Russian empires, according to which Russia received the Azov fortress, which strengthened its position in the South.

1789 year – The US Congress passed a decision on the creation of a regular American army, which became an important stage in the formation of the country’s armed forces.

1897 year – during the premiere of the play “Creole Court” in the “Olympo” theater in Buenos Aires, the tango, which later became a symbol of Argentine culture, was played for the first time.

1918 year – Bulgaria capitulated in the First World War, signing an armistice, which caused significant territorial and political changes in the region.

1926 year – Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the most significant spiritual centers of Ukraine, was officially declared a museum, which ensured the preservation of historical and cultural monuments of the monastery complex.

1943 year – the city of Kremenchuk was liberated from Nazi occupation, which became an important stage in the liberation of Ukraine during the Second World War.

1954 year – the establishment of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which has become one of the most powerful scientific centers in the world and plays a key role in research into the physics of elementary particles.

2003 year – Russia began construction of a dam from the Taman Peninsula to the Ukrainian island of Kosa Tuzla, which became the cause of aggravation of relations between the two countries.

2016 year – a study by the University of Cambridge showed that the use of chest cameras on police officers in Great Britain and the United States led to a decrease in the number of complaints against the actions of law enforcement officers by 93%. This showed the effectiveness of such technologies in increasing the transparency and accountability of the police.

Creation of Scotland Yard

On September 29, 1829, the country’s first civilian police force, later named Scotland Yard, was created in London by order of the then British Home Secretary Robert Peel. Until this moment, the police, as such, in the modern sense, did not exist. Robert Peel created a special structure of detective agents to replace the outdated system of patrols and guards. This new department received the name “Criminal investigation”.

The name “Scotland Yard” comes from the location of the headquarters on Great Scotland Yard Street in the Whitehall area. The street, which is only 170 meters long, got its name in honor of the residence that was built on this site. In the 10th century, the English king Edgar the Peaceful gave this plot of land to the Scottish king to build his residence. It served as a residence for Scottish monarchs during their visits to London. After the accession of Scotland to England, the residence lost its significance, and later London detectives settled in its place.

Once, the British newspaper “The Times” published an article in which it called the London criminal investigation Scotland Yard. The name stuck and is used to this day. The modern headquarters of the metropolitan police is called “New Scotland Yard”.

When Robert Peel founded the London Police, there was a public fear that the new system would resemble a military one. Therefore, it was decided that the policemen will not carry weapons and will not be dressed in red uniforms, like the military, but in blue. Their tall hats (top hats) were to demonstrate to Londoners that their liberties were not infringed and that the police were not a military force but a civil service created to protect citizens. It was then that British policemen received the nicknames “Peeler”, “Copper” and “Bobby” – in honor of Robert Peel and the first chiefs of police stations.

In 1994, some police patrols were allowed to carry weapons due to an increase in attacks on law enforcement officers. However, even today, many London police officers go on duty without weapons, as most civilians do not own firearms either – according to statistics, only 4 out of 100 British citizens have a firearms permit. Each regional office has special units trained in the use of firearms. Since 1991, the rapid response teams have been equipped with vehicles equipped with weapons.

Scotland Yard’s original telephone number was 1212. Most police stations in London use these numbers as the last four digits of their telephone numbers.

A large network of video surveillance cameras operates in London, which facilitates the identification of suspects. Scotland Yard also employs a team of so-called “super-recognizers” — people who have the unique ability to remember faces and match them with those previously registered in databases. These specialists use their skills to track potential criminals and analyze their possible involvement in previous crimes.

Police constables have broad powers to search and detain suspects on “reasonable suspicion”. This includes searching the premises, searching the car even without the presence of the owner. However, many actions depend on the rank of the police officer. In 1886, the Riot Damages Act was passed in Great Britain, which provides that the police have a duty to stop the riots and if they fail to do so, they must pay damages.

In 1869, the police were allowed to seize things belonging to prisoners for the training of their officers. This led to the creation of the Crime Museum, or “Black Museum”, where evidence related to London’s most notorious crimes is kept.

Policemen received the right to rest only in 1910 thanks to the efforts of Winston Churchill. As in many other police structures in the world, in the British police there are also cases of abuse of power and violations of the law. However, the overall level of trust in the police remains quite high.

Scotland Yard is an example of how a modern police force can function in a democratic society, maintaining a balance between protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining public order.

Execution of Hnat Hotkevich

On September 29, 1938, the outstanding Ukrainian writer, bandurist and composer Hnat Martynovych Hotkevich, also known under the pseudonym Hnat Galaida, was sentenced to death by the Special Three of the UNKVD in the Kharkiv region on charges of “participation in a counter-revolutionary organization.” The sentence was carried out on October 8, 1938. The writer was rehabilitated only on May 11, 1956.

Hnat Martynovych Hotkevich was born on December 31, 1877 in Kharkiv. After graduating from the Kharkiv Institute of Technology, he worked for some time as an engineer on the Kharkiv-Mykolaiv railway. His technical talent was manifested in the creation of his own project of a diesel train, which appeared much earlier than a similar American invention. However, Hotkevich’s real genius was revealed in the field of music, literature and art.

Khotkevich taught at the Kharkiv Music and Drama Institute, where he started his own method of playing the bandura and founded the so-called Kharkiv School of Bandura Art. He created original methods of playing the bandura, developed his own teaching method, which significantly influenced the development of Ukrainian folk instrumental art.

Hnat Khotkevich was the artistic director of the Poltava Bandurists’ Chapel. Under his leadership, the group achieved extraordinary success and became the first Soviet musical ensemble to receive a contract for a tour in North America. It was a significant breakthrough for Ukrainian culture, because the art of bandura received world recognition.

In the period from 1928 to 1930, 8 volumes of his literary works were published. Khotkevich wrote prose, drama, and essays. His literary works include novels, stories and short stories, where he skillfully described the life and daily life of the Ukrainian people, in particular peasants and workers.

Khotkevich is the author of about 600 musical works, including both original compositions and numerous arrangements of folk songs. He wrote a number of works for bandura, which are still performed today by modern bandura players.

Hnat Khotkevich was an active participant in Ukrainian cultural life, he defended the Ukrainian language, culture and national identity. He organized cultural and educational events, involved young people in them, brought up new generations of artists and musicians.

After Ukraine gained independence, the name of Hnat Hotkevich was brought back from oblivion. In 1998, the International Competition of Performers on Ukrainian Folk Instruments named after Hnat Hotkevich was launched in Kharkiv, which is held once every three years. The competition aims to preserve and popularize Ukrainian folk music, support young musicians and promote the further development of folk art. Khotkevich’s work and achievements are a national treasure, and his life and tragedy are a reminder of the fate of many artists destroyed by the Soviet regime.

Large-scale program “Strategy of reforms until 2020”

On September 29, 2014, the large-scale program “Strategy of reforms until 2020” was announced, which was initiated by the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. This strategy provided for the implementation of a number of deep reforms in various areas with the aim of achieving European standards of living, strengthening national security and ensuring stable economic development. The main tasks of the program were to raise the standard of living of Ukrainians, create conditions for economic growth, and fight corruption. According to the plan, the implementation of the strategy was supposed to significantly change the quality of state management, improve infrastructure and create a favorable environment for business.

The main directions of the strategy included:

1. Fight against corruption. Introduction of new anti-corruption bodies, such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) and the High Anti-Corruption Court, as well as the creation of an electronic declaration system for officials.
2. Reform of public administration. Optimization of the work of state bodies, digitization of services and introduction of new approaches to the formation of state policy with an emphasis on openness and transparency.
3. Judicial reform. Ensuring the independence of judges, carrying out re-certification and cleaning the judicial corps from unscrupulous personnel, increasing the level of trust in the judicial system to 60%.
4. Reform of the law enforcement system. Reorganization of the system of law enforcement agencies, creation of a new police force, reform of the prosecutor’s office and ensuring transparency and efficiency in the activities of law enforcement agencies.
5. Reform of the national security and defense system. Modernization of the armed forces, increase in defense spending, integration into the collective security system of Europe and development of own defense potential.
6. Economic reforms. Reducing administrative pressure on business, simplifying procedures for conducting business, reducing the number of regulatory acts and tax burdens, creating conditions for attracting foreign investment, increasing the volume of foreign investment to 40 billion US dollars.
7. Tax reform. Helping to reduce the tax burden, simplifying the tax system, combating the shadow economy and tax evasion.
8. Energy sector reform. Liberalization of the gas market, reduction of dependence on Russian gas, development of internal production of energy resources and introduction of energy-efficient technologies.
9. Decentralization. Devolution of powers and financial resources to localities, strengthening of local self-government, creation of United Territorial Communities (UTCs) to improve governance at the local level.
10. Reform of the education system. Introduction of a new concept of education “New Ukrainian School”, raising the level of proficiency of school graduates in Ukrainian and English to 75%, modernization of educational institutions.
11. Reform of the health care system. Changing the medical financing system, implementing the medical guarantee program, which would increase the average life expectancy to 74 years.

The main goals that were planned to be achieved by 2020:

• Reduction of the inflation rate from 19% to 1.7%.
• GDP growth from 3% to 10.1% per year.
• Increase GDP per capita to $16,000.
• Increasing the rating of ease of doing business, entering the TOP-20 countries of the world.
• Reaching the volume of foreign investment of 40 billion US dollars.
• Increasing the average life expectancy to 74 years.
• Provision of bilingual education for 75% of school graduates.
• An increase in the level of civic pride in the country to 90%.

Despite the ambitious goals, most tasks of the Reform Strategy remained unfulfilled or partially fulfilled.