New Initiative to Support Soldiers -"Notebook of Independence"

The "Silpo" supermarket chain, in collaboration with the family of Levko Lukyanenko, has introduced a new charity project called the "Notebook of Independence". This is a recreated version of a school notebook in which, 34 years ago, in August 1991, the draft of Ukraine's Declaration of Independence was written, which was later adopted by the Verkhovna Rada.

All profits from the sale of the limited edition will be directed to support released soldiers and their families through the NGO "Azov.Support".

This historical document that laid the foundation for modern Ukraine emerged from an ordinary school notebook during extraordinary circumstances. In August 1991, against the backdrop of an attempted coup in Moscow, members of parliament were urgently recalled from vacation.

At that moment, dissident Levko Lukyanenko, understanding the uniqueness of the moment, spent an hour and a half writing the text of the Declaration of Independence, using a simple student notebook.

Western leaders once told Ukrainians that freedom is not the same as independence. This is true, but they did not point out that without independence, there can be no freedom.

"Levko was immensely happy when Ukrainians supported independence in the referendum. The independence of Ukraine was his life's work. Since 2014, he visited the front several times, supporting our soldiers. On his birthday, which coincides with Independence Day, soldiers would come to congratulate Levko. For me, it is very valuable to preserve the memory of this man together with "Silpo".

I believe that thousands of Ukrainians will fill their notebooks with thoughts, and among them will be transformative ideas. At the same time, I am glad that the notebook provides an opportunity to support the Azov soldiers who have been released from captivity. Levko spent over 27 years in Soviet camps; he fought for independence in his time, and now our warriors defend it", said dissident's wife, Nadia Lukyanenko.

"We are grateful to the family of Levko Lukyanenko for their collaboration. It is a great honor for us to create this project together. Imagine taking notes in such a notebook for language or literature, law or philosophy. And also writing down your ideas, dreams, reflections, planning projects that will help Ukraine.

I believe that everything written in such a notebook should come to life. We recreated the cover design according to the original, which is kept in the Lukyanenko family, and the draft page of the act from the page stored in the National Museum of History of Ukraine. We selected paper of the same color to create the feeling of the original notebook", said Kateryna Ohuryayeva, marketing director of the "Silpo" supermarket chain.

The "Notebook of Independence" can be purchased at "Silpo" supermarkets across the country or ordered online through the website or mobile application. Additionally, a virtual address from Levko Lukyanenko is available in the app, and on a special project landing page, one can learn more about the history of the Act's creation.

This project carries deep symbolism, as Levko Lukyanenko, who himself spent 27 years in Soviet camps, fought for Ukraine's freedom. The funds raised will help those who continue this struggle today — released soldiers from the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Azov" and their families.