On April 14-15, the Day of the Plast Oath, part of the celebrations of the 95th anniversary of the founding in Lviv of Plast, Ukraine’s oldest scout organization, was widely celebrated. On April 12, 1912, the official founding date of Ukraine’s scout movement, the first group of boys swore the Plast oath to God and Ukraine. As the press service of the Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine told The Day, Plast is Ukraine’s largest scout organization, with over 10,000 members grouped in 130 centers. Plast is a non- religious and non-political organization uniting both six-year old novices and scouts with a record of active service (seniors) around the national idea.
The main goal of this organization is to raise young people on the principles of patriotism and Christian values. According to the press service of the Plast branch in Kyiv, the organization holds over 100 specialized educational camps every year, as well as various sports and intellectual-artistic competitions, and activities designed for the youngest members.
The Plast action, Bethlehem Fire of Peace, has become a fine tradition in Ukraine. On April 13 each Plast center in Ukraine marked Plast’s 95th anniversary by organizing themed discussions, competitions, games, hikes, and televised performances. A key feature of the program was swearing the Plast oath to God and Ukraine the same way as it was done 95 years ago in Lviv.
Last weekend, a solemn march around the city took place in Lviv. In addition, flags of various Plast kurins (groups) were consecrated, a memorial plaque to the founder of Plast, Oleksandr Tysovsky, was unveiled at his former home, and a whole alley of flowers was planted.
