Yulia Tymoshenko. This is where independence began (photos)

On August 24, Batkivshchyna Party leader Yulia Tymoshenko took part in a meeting by the Taras Shevchenko monument in Kyiv on occasion of the 19th anniversary of Ukrainian independence.

"This is holy ground where we are standing, because when Ukraine was only dreaming about and fighting for independence, on this holy ground by the Great Kobzar, patriots of Ukrainewould gather in secret. They would gather in circles and quietly discuss what later became a solemn occasion for us all," Yulia Tymoshenko said.

The people greeted Yulia Tymoshenko with applause and shouts of support. Joining her were poet Dmytro Pavlychko, deputy speaker of parliament Mykola Tomenko, the head of the opposition government Serhiy Sobolev, BYuT MP Volodymyr Yavorivsky and other political and public figures.

After the leader of BYuT places a bouquet of red roses by the monument to Taras Shevchenko, the official program got underway with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

Yulia Tymoshenko urged everyone to start a movement that will mark the start of the struggle to restore a democratic Ukraine.

"I want for us today on this Maidan by the Great Kobzar to start our winning march, a march of hope, faith and consolidation. And I’m convinced that when we gather to celebrate Ukraine’s 20th year of independence, many of our dreams will have become reality and much of our despair will have turned into confidence. And so, let’s get to work!"