On October 27, Sumy National Agrarian University hosted the traditional writing of the Radio Dictation of National Unity, an annual event that unites Ukrainians around the world. This year, the event at SNAU was held in a mixed format: some participants wrote the dictation in the university auditoriums, while others joined online via the Zoom platform, demonstrating the unity of the community regardless of their location.
Vice-Rector for Scientific, Pedagogical and Educational Work Marharyta Lyshenko emphasized during the opening of the event:
“The Ukrainian language is not only a means of communication, but a powerful tool for uniting the nation. It stitches our space together — from east to west, from past to future — forms national consciousness and keeps us together in times of trial. Participation in the Radio Dictation is an expression of our respect for the language that unites generations of Ukrainians.”
Students from all faculties, teachers, scientific and pedagogical workers, and university employees took part in writing the dictation. The participants emphasized that participation in the Radiodictation is not only an opportunity to test their knowledge of Ukrainian spelling, but also a way to express love for the native word, to feel like a part of a large educational family. The atmosphere in the classrooms was especially focused and inspiring, because everyone understood that this is a celebration of the Ukrainian word that unites hearts.
The author of this year’s Radiodictation text was the writer, translator and scientist Yevheniia Kuznetsova, known for her sensitive and profound works about humanity, dignity and the power of Ukrainian culture. Her text, read by the People’s Artist of Ukraine Nataliia Sumska, was filled with warmth, symbolism and faith in the resilience of Ukrainians. This format of the dictation was not just a literacy test, but an opportunity to once again feel the power of the Ukrainian word as the spiritual code of the nation.
“Communicating in Ukrainian is always more than a habit or a norm. In the most difficult times, it is our support, our spiritual home. Language is able to support, inspire and unite people when it seems that everything is lost. That is why such initiatives as Radio Dictation are extremely important for preserving our unity,” said Svitlana Shestakova, Head of the Department of State and Legal Disciplines and Ukrainian Studies.
The tradition of holding the Radio Dictation of National Unity dates back to 2000. The initiator was Ukrainian Radio, which launched this action on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language. Since then, every year millions of Ukrainians around the world sit down at the same time at the sheets and write a dictation, affirming unity and love for the language, which is an integral part of our national identity.
Concluding the action, the participants of the SNAU shared their impressions of writing a dictation together. For many, this was a moment of spiritual uplift and a reminder: the Ukrainian word is not only a means of communication, but a symbol of our common history, culture, and invincibility. SNAU once again confirmed that unity in the word is a force that unites educators and inspires further work for the development of Ukrainian education and culture.
