In what way are the following functions distributed among the representatives of power in Ukraine. Fill in the table below.

President	Verkhovna Rada	Cabinet of Ministers
can veto any decision of the Verkhovna Rada;	.....	.....

 

ü can veto any decision of the Verkhovna Rada;

ü includes 450 people’s deputies;

ü is the highest executive body of our state;

ü adopts the State Budget;

ü is the head of the state;

ü works out the draft of the Law on the State Budget of Ukraine;

ü speaks on behalf of the state;

ü is responsible to the President;

ü is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine;

ü is the main legislative body;

ü is headed and directed by the Prime Minister;

ü is the Guarantor of state sovereignty and territorial indivisibility;

ü operates in sessions;

ü develops and fulfils national programs on the economic, scientific and technological, social and cultural development of Ukraine;

ü sets up the Committees performing law drafting.

Read and translate the text.

The Constitution of Ukraine

The adoption of a new constitution of Ukraine on the 28th of June 1996 became an important event in the life of the people of Ukraine. Our country has long-standing constitutional traditions. The first Constitution of Ukraine was written by hetman Philip Orlyk in 1710. Being the first constitution in Europe it was notable for its profound democracy. The experience of Ukrainian People’s Republic (1918) played a significant role in the constitutional process. The Constitution of the Ukrainian People’s Republic approved by the Centralna Rada was the embodiment of the statehood principles of Ukraine.

On the 24th of October 1990 the constitutional commission was appointed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The draft constitution was written during the first stage of its preparation (1990-1993). It was logically and juridically completed during the second stage (1994-1996). The draft constitution was published and went through nation-wide discussion. On the 28th of June 1996 the Constitution was confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Principles of democracy common to all mankind are embodied in the Constitution. The basic economic, social, cultural, public and political rights are guaranteed by the Constitution.

Here are some articles of the Constitution:

Article 1

Ukraine is a sovereign and independent, democratic, social, law-based state.

Article 3

The human being, his or her life and health, honour and dignity, inviolability and security are recognised in Ukraine as the highest social value.

Human rights and freedoms and their guarantees determine the essence and orientation of the activity of the State. The State is answerable to the individual for its activity. To affirm and ensure human rights and freedoms is the main duty of the State.

Article 5

Ukraine is a republic.

The people are the bearers of sovereignty and the only source of power in Ukraine…

Article 6

State power in Ukraine is exercised on the principles of its division into legislative, executive and judicial power.

Article 8

In Ukraine, the principle of the rule of law is recognised and effective.

The Constitution of Ukraine has the highest legal force. Laws and other normative legal acts are adopted on the basis of the Constitution of Ukraine and shall conform to it…

Article 17

To protect the sovereignty and territorial indivisibility of Ukraine, and to ensure its economic and informational security are the most important functions of the State and a matter of concern for all the Ukrainian people.

The defence of Ukraine and the protection of its sovereignty, territorial indivisibility and inviolability, are entrusted to the Armed Forces of Ukraine…

Answer the questions.

1) When and by whom was the first Constitution of Ukraine written?

2) What was it remarkable for?

3) What stages did the draft constitution pass?

4) When was the constitution of Ukraine adopted?

5) What rights are guaranteed by the Constitution?

Read about the national symbols of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s National Symbols

The National Flag

The National Flag consists of two equal horizontal stripes: a blue one above a yellow one. The colours are symbolic - the blue is said to represent the heavens, the sky, and the country's streams while the yellow signifies the country's wheat fields. The roots of this Ukrainian national symbol come from before Christian times when yellow and blue prevailed in traditional ceremonies, reflecting fire and water. In Kyiv Rus' times, yellow and blue continued to be popular. The national flag was officially adopted for the first time in 1918 by a short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic and in 1992 it was officially restored following Ukrainian independence.

The National Emblem (Coat of Arms)

The Tryzub (Trident) is the country's official coat of arms. As an emblem, the Trident dates back to the first century A.D. It was the official emblem of the Kyiv princes, stamped on coins. Designs of the Trident symbol evolved. During the time of the Cossacks, the image of the Trident was shielded by a crowned lion on the left and a Cossack in traditional dress on the right, with the crown of Volodymyr the Great at its peak.

The symbol variations are present in the number of cultures and religions. Trident is one of the basic universal symbols meaning three substances forming the Universe: astral water - the female basis (right part of the Trident), astral fire - the male basis (left part) and the Child - the Universe itself (middle part). All three are in the unbreakable unity.

 

The Ukrainian Anthem

The lyrics to the national anthem “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished” were written in autumn 1862 by the poet Pavlo Chubynsky and the music was composed a year later by Greek-Catholic priest Mykhailo Verbytsky. The first public presentation took place in 1864 in the Ukrainian People’s Theatre in Lviv. The catchy melody and patriotic words made this song immensely popular and so widely known that Chubynsky’s friends had to defend his authorship and prove that it was not a folk song.

Complete the sentences.

1) The National Flag of Ukraine consists of......

2) The colours of the flag symbolize......

3) The official Coat of Arms of Ukraine is......

4) On the emblem of Cossacks the trident was shielded by...

5) The variations of trident are present in......

6) The authors of the National Anthem of Ukraine are......

 

sPEAKING