On Dec. 3, 2009, the Pillar Hall of the Kyiv Municipal State Administration hosted a formal awarding ceremony. Orders, medals, and commendations were handed out to 123 Kyivites by Anatolii Holubchenko, first deputy mayor of Kyiv.
The event took place on a day that has very special significant for every Ukrainian citizen — The Day of the 1991 nationwide Ukrainian referendum, which confirmed the declaration of independence of Ukraine. Orders of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Princess Olha, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, “For Merit,” “For Bravery,” and medals “For Labor and Valor” were given to those who have made a great contribution to the social, economic, and cultural progress of Ukraine and Kyiv.
Honorary titles were conferred on the best architects, artists, property developers, teachers, and representatives of other professions. There were also awards from the president and the prime minister of Ukraine, as well as letters of commendation from the Cabinet of Ministers, all of which were a recognition of many years of hard work, excellence, and achievements in public sphere.
Among the awardees was The Day’s photojournalist Ruslan Kaniuka, who received the medal “Honored Culture Worker of Ukraine.” Photographs by this talented artist appear in virtually every issue of our paper. It has been four years since Kaniuka came to work for The Day. His photos can be justly called the “moments of history.” They help paint the portrait of Ukraine and see its people from various angles.
Kaniuka’s works have won several special prizes in the international photo exhibit traditionally held by our paper. Our readers will remember that when the exhibit was demonstrated in various cities of Ukraine, both in the west and in the east, Kaniuka’s photographs left no one indifferent, which is proved by his Audience Choice Award. His colleagues call him one of the creators of The Day’s photographic visage.
