It is probably nice to be a hero of the legend. Of national or foreign one. This year, modern Ukrainians joined the ancient Swiss legends. In particular, the legend of William Tell, a folk hero of Switzerland, a skilled archer, a fighter for the country’s independence in the 13th-14th century. It is coincidence, fate or regularity, but Hero of Ukraine Oleksiy Vadaturskyy was the only Ukrainian awarded the William Tell Award – the award designed by a famous Ukrainian sculptor Oleh Pinchuk. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova Guillaume Scheurer gave this work of art to Mr. Vadaturskyy on August 1 during the solemnities on the occasion of Swiss National Day in Kyiv.
August 1 is the national holiday of Switzerland – Swiss National (or Confederation) Day. On August 1, 1291, representatives of three cantons formed the first alliance for defense against external threats. This event became the foundation of the Swiss Confederation which unites 26 cantons.
Swiss National Day is the only holiday celebrated at the federal level: traditionally the Swiss decorate their streets and houses with Swiss flags; President of the Swiss Confederation delivers a speech on the Rütli Meadow where three cantons took an oath to protect one another – basis of the Swiss Confederation. Since then, on August 1, people make bonfires reaching several meters high at the top of the mountains and hills; one legend told that in the Middle Ages the lights reflected in Lake Geneva and Lake Biel scared away the “barbarians”, thinking they had come to the edge of the earth and were about to ride off into the sky. 
On the occasion of one of the oldest days of independence in the world, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova Guillaume Scheurer and his wife Farin Scheurer held a reception; it has been traditionally held at Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv. In 2017, Ukraine and Switzerland mark the 25th anniversary of partnership, start of good bilateral relations in many sectors of the economy, social and humanitarian spheres. Thus, this year’s celebration was especially festive and crowded. Many honourable guests – representatives of diplomatic missions of other countries, the Swiss who work in Ukraine, as well as friends of the Swiss Confederation  –  representatives from NGO’s, Ukrainian authorities and legislators, scholars, representatives from universities, businessmen, artists, the media helped to create solemn atmosphere.  
Head of the Diplomatic Mission of Switzerland to Ukraine Guillaume Scheurer delivered a welcoming speech. He congratulated the guests on the holiday and thanked all the Ukrainians for their favourable attitude towards Switzerland. He noted that he was proud of technical cooperation, humanitarian assistance and peace promotion making Switzerland the fourth biggest bilateral donor in Ukraine. Switzerland is ranked 9th in terms of investments in Ukraine and is the second largest importer of Ukrainian services, consisting mainly of transport, raw materials processing, and information services.
On this day, the Ambassador focused on three aspects confirming that our countries share the same values. First of all, a country can only be as strong as its civil society. Guillaume Scheurer said that it was well known that Switzerland enjoyed a very vibrant civil society. He noted that he saw the unstoppable rise of such a strong civil society in Ukraine. The Ambassador named Okean Elzy with Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, who has requested his wages to be paid to a Ukrainian humanitarian organization, a bright representative of new Ukrainian civil society.
According to Guillaume Scheurer, innovative and competent entrepreneurs – initiative and creative businessman who take responsibility for implementing effective changes and innovations of any kind – represent the second aspect. 
Switzerland is recognized worldwide for the strength of its private sector.
Therefore, Guillaume Scheurer named NIBULON a powerful engine of the Ukrainian economy. “I see Ukraine rising very fast with brilliant start-ups and modern companies such as NIBULON led so ably since the beginning by Mr. Oleksiy Vadaturskyy. In 25 years of activity, NIBULON has invested more than USD 1.6 billion in Ukraine’s economy and is a state-of-the-art company of international dimension with a clear Swiss touch”, said Guillaume Scheurer.
The need for good governance is the third aspect. Switzerland is recognized for its lean government and efficient parliament. The Ambassador called the members of the Verkhovna Rada as well as the members of the Ukrainian Government to continue to create the best framework for the civil society and the private sector to flourish.
At the end of reception, Guillaume Scheurer said that it was true honor to give the William Tell Award to Hero of Ukraine Oleksiy Vadaturskyy on behalf of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine and Moldova for the fact that he has made considerable contribution to Ukraine and has strengthened relations between Ukraine and Switzerland. 
“In Swiss history, one hero personifies the quest for freedom, equality and democracy but also precision and perfection, William Tell. This is why I decided to give his name to the Award the Swiss Embassy is giving to Ukrainians who have made considerable contributions to their own country and have strengthened the relations between Ukraine and Switzerland. It is my true honor to give the William Tell Award 2017 to Mr. Vadaturskyy, General Director of NIBULON, Hero of Ukraine, in recognition of his extraordinary personality and his vision in developing and managing his company”, said Guillaume Scheurer.
Oleksiy Vadaturskyy, Hero of Ukraine, General Director of NIBULON, addressed a large and respected audience with a very sincere speech.
“It is a great honour to congratulate you, your Excellency, and the Swiss people on a great national holiday – Swiss National Day”, stressed Oleksiy Vadaturskyy. “I am very pleased to be a Ukrainian who received the William Tell Award for being a successful person, owner of a successful company that develops modern independent Ukraine and introduces the best Swiss standards to Ukraine.
I love Ukraine! I will do everything to make Ukraine like a big country Switzerland. For me, Switzerland is the country of happy people; it is the best for me”, said Oleksiy Vadaturskyy.
He frankly admitted that NIBULON would not have been so successful in the development of the company and Ukrainian economy, if more than 15 years ago representatives of Switzerland had not come to NIBULON’s office in Mykolaiv and offer to open an enterprise in Switzerland. They quickly helped us to understand the peculiarities of running business in this country.
“I remember and I appreciate that. From that day, a part of my heart is in Switzerland. Our Swiss office is a window on the wonderful world of this country and economy of the whole world. We became successful in Switzerland. Thanks to our hard work, we received access to the best financial institutions of the world and trust of many banks. We became the established company in the international system of trade and economy. We would not have been like that, if we had not been Swiss at heart”, said Oleksiy Vadaturskyy.
“I would like to say that you are doing everything not only to help our Swiss company to be established in Switzerland but also help the Ukrainians in Ukraine, defend against negative manifestations in the judicial system, help to protect our rights and business rights, as well as unite many European countries in this direction”.  
General Director of NIBULON also thanked Switzerland Global Enterprise for the high award. “I really appreciate this, and I will do everything to be worthy of this award”, summed up Oleksiy Vadaturskyy.
The solemn reception of the Swiss friends ended with live performance of the Swiss and Ukrainian celebrities, known far beyond their native countries – Liz Schneider, a cellist, and Okean Elzy with Sviatoslav Vakarchuk.