Solemn ceremony that marked the end of the 13th International Competition in the Ukrainian Language named after Petro Yatsyk took place at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater.
We must say that in Ukraine not many projects occur with such enviable stability. (Here, obviously, we should mention the main organizer and sponsor of the event – League of Ukrainian Philanthropists and pharmaceutical company “Darnytsia.”) Besides, while there are quite a few literary competitions, this one is the only language competition in the country. In 13 years it had five million participants from 27 countries. (In fact, it is the implementation of humanitarian policy regarding ties with the Diaspora.)
International Competition in the Ukrainian Language named after Petro Yatsyk aims at strengthening the status of Ukrainian as the state language, raising its prestige, and providing patriotic education. In the words of its founder Petro Yatsyk – good knowledge should be adequately valued, even in money equivalent. This is the way the world is now – competitive. Besides, do you think it is easy for a teacher in Uman, Chernihiv, Odesa, or Luhansk to teach students Ukrainian when television is dominated by Russian-language programs and films, and most radio stations broadcast Russian pop songs? It’s obviously a rhetorical question.
Paradoxically, the president sent a letter with greetings to the address of the event, while the Ministry of Education does not support it in any way. (Before Dmytro Tabachnyk was appointed the Minister the Ministry of Education was one of its active organizers.)
“Since the competition became a rather powerful and prestigious event, even a separate brand, no matter how some people tried to marginalize it, it could never be done,” said Mykhailo SLABOSHPYTSKY, director of the League of Ukrainian Philanthropists. “We know about the facts when first prizes at city and oblast Olympiads for school students are being sold. But our jury, headed by the indefatigable Professor Pavlo Hrytsenko, director of the Institute for the Ukrainian Language attached to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, works independently and openly. Besides, there are people (however, most of them come from abroad) who have been donors of all the 13 competitions – that’s the level of trust in this competition.”
“Obviously, if this noble tradition would embrace more people able to provide various support, promotion of our beautiful language would take place much easier,” said the Editor-in-Chief of The Day newspaper Larysa IVSHYNA. “When I think about my childhood, I remember how we listened to the radio program ‘Theater Before the Microphone’ with such a great pleasure. In this program Ukrainian classics was presented by voices of actors, including actors from Ivan Franko Theater. Then, when I started the first grade in Lokachi school, Volyn oblast, I received a Ukrainian book as a gift. I think that everyone can make an effort so that children who start school in Ukraine could receive a Ukrainian book as a gift. We should also make effort in communicating with university students. Thus, The Day launched at some point Ostroh Club of Intellectual Communication. There are many instruments to achieve the goal.”
