Today is the Day of Ukrainian writing and language. It is an important date for every Ukrainian.
This holiday is dedicated to the memory of Reverend Nestor Chronicler, whose name is believed to be the first written Ukrainian language.
Ukrainian is one of the thirty most widely spoken languages in the world. Our writing has a thousand-year tradition – from “Slovo o polku Igoreve” to Grygory Skovoroda, from Ivan Kotlyarevsky, Taras Shevchenko and Ivan Franko to the present time.
The national rebirth, resulting in Ukrainian statehood restoration, began with the Word.
Throughout its centuries-long history our language was repeatedly oppressed, banned, and repressed. The imperial forces knew perfectly well Ukraine would not be humbled until the Ukrainian language was killed. Therefore, linguicide took place for centuries – in the form of “Valuyev’s” and “Ems” decrees, resolutions of the CPSU Central Committee, mass repressions against the intelligentsia, the imposition of inferiority complexes and the gradual displacement of the Ukrainian language from public life.
However, thanks to the indestructible will of the Ukrainian people it managed to survive and establish itself.
We have won, saved our language, and created a rich European literature.
For hundreds of years the Ukrainian language has united Ukrainians, shaping the nation’s consciousness, its cultural and spiritual identity, and its worldview and moral values. Everything that makes us Ukrainians is reflected in our language.
The strength and power of our country is not only in our powerful army, well-equipped Armed Forces, and developed economy, but also in Ukrainian books, Ukrainian cinema, Ukrainian music, Ukrainian songs, and most importantly, in our language.
Our language is the essence of our national identity. Through it we discover the world around us and, eventually, ourselves. Now we are finally affirming the Ukrainian language – the component of our nation’s strength and success – singing, vivid, and diverse.
A language lives as long as it is spoken. Communicate in Ukrainian. Think about the future. Let the Ukrainian language be heard everywhere!
Honorary consul of the Republic of Moldova
Mykola Skrypkovskyi