On October 27, Ukrainian Literacy and Language Day, students and staff at Sumy National Agrarian University traditionally came together around the Ukrainian language to participate in the All-Ukrainian Radio Dictation of National Unity.
This year’s text was titled “The Letter That Never Ends.” Its author is Artur Dron, a writer and veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war. During the broadcast, the text was read by actor Artur Proydakov and singer Dasha Astafieva.
At SNAU, participants took part in this tradition in a hybrid format: some wrote the dictation in the university’s shelters, while others joined a joint online conference. Different locations, different handwriting styles, different paces—but one language that unites us regardless of distance.
Before the dictation began, SNAU Rector Ihor Kovalenko congratulated those present on Ukrainian Literacy and Language Day and emphasized the special significance of the native language for the university community—people directly involved in the development of Ukrainian education and science. Student Rector Andriy Makarenko and Viktoria Zayarna, head of the Center for Sociocultural and Youth Development, also joined in the greetings.
Svitlana Shestakova, head of the Department of State and Legal Disciplines and Ukrainian Studies, addressed the participants separately. In her speech, she emphasized:
“The Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language did not come about by chance, for our native language is, at the very least, the code of our nation—our foundation, our thoughts, our first words, our support, our symbols, and our meanings. We understand it; we feel it. And it is extremely important today to speak Ukrainian, to live by it, to feel its power, and to realize its significance. We want the Ukrainian language to be wings for everyone, not a burden—we want it to unite, inspire, and give a sense of belonging to our people.”
It is precisely because of its importance and role in our lives that the Ukrainian National Anthem sounds proud to us, sometimes melancholic, yet always resonates in our hearts. It’s incredibly heartening to see that today, different generations have come together for the traditional dictation. This gives us hope for the future and faith that Ukrainian society is unbreakable. Mistakes in the dictation aren’t a cause for fear or a verdict, but rather a stage in the learning process that shouldn’t be feared. “Only those who do nothing make no mistakes.”
This time, the dictation was more than just a test of literacy. As they listened to the text, participants reflected on every sentence, picked up on the intonation, kept up with the punctuation, and at the same time immersed themselves in their own thoughts and feelings. The title “The Letter That Never Ends” carries a special meaning: there are words that continue to live within us, resonate in our personal stories, and remind us of what truly matters.
Such gatherings at the university have already become a cherished tradition that unites generations of educators. They serve as a reminder that the Ukrainian language is not only our cultural heritage but also a space for shared memory, support, and mutual understanding.
And while in a dictation you can correct a mistake, cross out a word, or start a sentence over, in this tradition we want to preserve what matters most—a sense of unity. May each such gathering not be the last, but may new texts, shared moments, and opportunities to hear the Ukrainian language again lie ahead.
Let’s cherish the Ukrainian language every day. Let’s preserve it in our words, thoughts, and actions. Let’s unite around what makes us who we are—Ukrainians.
