This was announced by First vice Prime Minister of Ukraine after the ceremony of laying flowers at the monument to Taras Shevchenko, which took place as part of Khoroshkovskyi's working visit to the U.S., in Washington DC on July 31, 2011.

First Vice Prime Minister stressed that Taras Shevchenko has long become one of Ukraine's symbols as Kyiv, Dnipro, wide fields and Carpathian Mountains. "His artistic heritage - a foundation on which we build a strong and independent Ukrainian state," he stressed.

According to Khoroshkovskyi, Taras Shevchenko - a figure who is equally revered not only in all parts of Ukraine but throughout the world where there live Ukrainians.

"That's why today we honour the Kobzar [poet] here in Washington. Respect for his personality has long time ago crossed the borders of our country. And the celebrations on the occasion of 200th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko, which we commemorate in 2014, to be held in all countries where living Ukrainians," First vice Prime Minister of Ukraine declared.