September 26 Holiday: Khmelnytskyi City Day—How the City on the Bug River Came to Be
At the end of September, Khmelnytskyi traditionally celebrates City Day. In 2026, the festivities will take place over the last weekend of September, and the city will mark the 595th anniversary of the first known written mention of Ploskyriv. The history of modern Khmelnytskyi dates back to the 15th century, and during that time, the city has changed its name, weathered wars, and become one of the major centers of Podillia.
Khmelnytskyi City Day is one of the main dates on the city’s calendar. It is celebrated at the end of September, when summer is drawing to a close and the city is preparing for fall. In 2026, City Council’s work plan lists City Day for September 26–27.
However, Khmelnytskyi’s historical founding date is not counted from the moment the first settlement was established, but rather from the earliest known written mention. It dates back to 1431. It was then that a document by King Vladislav II Jagiello mentions the settlement of Ploskyrivtsi on the River Boh, that is, on what is now the Southern Bug.
Where Khmelnytskyi’s history began
Modern-day Khmelnytskyi grew out of the small settlement of Ploskyriv or Ploskyrivtsi. Its name is associated with the Ploska River, which flows into the Southern Bug. It was in this area that a settlement gradually formed, which later developed into a city.
Historians cannot pinpoint the exact date of Ploskyriv’s founding. At the same time, archaeological finds indicate that people lived in the territory of modern-day Khmelnytskyi long before the first written mention. Stone tools, pottery shards, and other artifacts associated, in particular, with the Trypillian culture have been found here. The site near Ruzhychna, dated to the beginning of the 3rd millennium BCE, is considered the oldest excavated settlement on the territory of the modern city.
In the 15th–16th centuries, Ploskyriv remained a small settlement, but its location was of strategic importance. Important trade routes passed through Podillia, and the region frequently suffered from attacks by the Crimean Tatars. Therefore, the settlement was gradually fortified, and by the 16th century, castle fortifications were already mentioned here. Gradually, Ploskyriv developed into a center of trade and crafts. By the end of the 16th century, documents were already referring to it as a town. Historians note that it was during this period that the settlement received city rights, although no documentary evidence of the granting of Magdeburg rights has yet been found.
How Ploskyriv Became Proskuriv
At the end of the 18th century, a significant change took place in the town’s history. After Podillia came under the rule of the Russian Empire, the settlement received a new official name—Proskuriv. According to the city council, this occurred in 1795. After that, the town began to develop more rapidly. A major milestone was the arrival of the railroad in 1870. It fostered trade, the growth of businesses, and population growth. Proskuriv gradually transformed into a prominent economic center of Podillia.
The city also played a role in the Ukrainian liberation movements of 1917–1921. The government of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Directory were based in Proskuriv on several occasions. The city’s history also records the last meeting of the UNR Directory in full composition.
When Proskuriv Became Khmelnytskyi
The city received its current name in the 20th century. On January 16, 1954, Proskuriv was renamed Khmelnytskyi. The name was chosen in honor of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. That same year, the Khmelnytskyi Oblast was established, and the city became its administrative center.
Thus, the city, which was once called Ploskyriv and later Proskuriv, became Khmelnytskyi. Today, its former names are commemorated not only in historical documents but also in the names of streets, institutions, and city cultural projects.
When Khmelnytskyi Celebrates City Day
The tradition of celebrating City Day separately in September dates back to 1983. At that time, the first written mention of the settlement was considered to be from 1493. Later, historians discovered an even older document dating back to 1431, so the city’s official age was increased by 62 years.
The specific date of the celebration has varied over the years, but City Day is traditionally held on the last weekend of September. For example, in 2025, the main events took place on September 27, when Khmelnytskyi celebrated the 594th anniversary of its first written mention. In 2026, the city council included City Day in the schedule of events for September 27–28. This means that this year’s festivities will take place on the last weekend of September.
How City Day Is Celebrated
In peacetime, City Day in Khmelnytskyi is usually accompanied by concerts, fairs, exhibitions, sporting events, children’s activities, and other events. One of the traditions has been the opportunity to spend time in the city center, visit cultural sites, and take part in the festive program. Now, the format of the celebrations has changed due to the full-scale war. City events are organized with safety in mind, and some events have a charitable, cultural, or patriotic focus.
Among the traditional events is the “Obzhynky” fair. In 2026, it will take place on September 26 on Prybuzka Street. There, farmers, producers, and artisans will showcase seasonal produce, homemade baked goods, meat and dairy products, flowers, seedlings, craft items, and handmade goods. Food courts and workshops for adults and children are also planned.
Events for children and teenagers are also being held in celebration of City Day. In 2026, various districts of the community will host game programs, contests, sports activities, and educational gatherings. In particular, one of the teen clubs hosted the program “My City—My Pride,” while another held a contest and game event titled “Khmelnytskyi, Happy Birthday.” Artistic events hold a special place. In previous years, City Day celebrations included concerts, artistic flash mobs, exhibitions, tours, and fairs. In 2025, for example, residents were invited to the “Let’s Draw the City of Our Dreams” event, an educational fair, a fashion festival, and concert programs.
Interesting Facts About Khmelnytskyi
The city is older than was long believed. For a long time, 1493 was considered the date of the first written mention. After researchers discovered a document from 1431, the city’s history began to be traced back to a much earlier date.
Its original name was Ploskyriv. Modern-day Khmelnytskyi traces its origins to this settlement. The name is associated with the Ploska River and the area near the Southern Bug River.
The city has undergone several name changes. Initially, it was called Ploskyrov, later became Proskuriv, and in 1954 was renamed Khmelnytskyi. Each of these names is associated with a distinct period in its history.
Khmelnytskyi has a long archaeological history. Artifacts of the Trypillian culture, as well as traces of other ancient settlements, have been found within the city and its surroundings. In other words, human history in this region began long before Ploskyrov appeared in written sources.
Important trade routes passed through the city. It was precisely this advantageous location that helped Ploskyrov develop trade and crafts. At the same time, it made the settlement vulnerable to attacks, so the city was fortified.
The railroad transformed the city. After its arrival in 1870, Proskuriv received a new boost for economic development. Trade, entrepreneurship, and the city’s connections with other regions all grew.
Why City Day Is Important
For Khmelnytskyi, City Day is not just about concerts, fairs, or entertainment. It is an opportunity to reflect on the origins of the modern regional center and how it has evolved over the centuries. Over nearly six centuries, the city has weathered changes in governments and names, wars, and economic and political upheavals. From the small settlement of Ploskyrov, it gradually transformed into a major urban center of Podillia.
Today, City Day is also linked to the memory of those who defended and developed Khmelnytskyi. That is why modern celebrations combine history, culture, creativity, charity, and support for Ukrainian defenders. There is no single mandatory way to celebrate this holiday. For some, it means a stroll through the city; for others, a fair, a concert, or an exhibition; and for still others, it’s an opportunity to learn more about the history of their hometown. The main thing City Day reminds us is that Khmelnytskyi is not just buildings and streets, but above all the people who lived here in the past, live here now, and continue to shape its history.
