On April 13 the first graders of Kyiv Specialized School No. 112 were ceremoniously admitted as Kobzaryky at the Taras Shevchenko National Museum. This ceremony is a fine 17-year-old tradition for both students and teachers. “Quite a few children are just learning to read, but they already know many poems and songs. They love Ukraine and want to live here,” says Maria Karpynska, vice-principal for education. “They respect the national culture, language, and traditions. Initiation into the Kobzaryky also means a visit to the museum.”
The children dressed in colorful embroidered shirts and blouses were glowing with happiness. This was a real holiday for them. Anticipating the ceremony, the children found it very hard to keep still. “Everyone will sing and recite poems. Sashko and I will dance. We’ll do a whole number,” say the children, eager to share their impressions. Six-year-old Vitalyk is sure that all children can be Kobzaryky if they study well and try to be as honest and kind as Shevchenko was. Vitalyk will be a poet when he grows up, of course, but now he loves learning other people’s poems and songs.
As befits grand occasions, gifts were in order. The children received copies of the Kobzar and pins depicting the poet. Then the children were taken on an exciting tour of the museum.
