Manor College Joins International Dictation for Ukrainian Writing and Language Day

The day included an all-Ukrainian radio dictation for national unity that sees thousands of Ukrainians worldwide write a dictation read on an international broadcast.

Manor College students and staff participated in Ukrainian Writing and Language Day on Wednesday, October 29 in Manor College’s Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center.

The day includes an all-Ukrainian radio dictation for national unity that sees thousands of Ukrainians worldwide write a dictation read on an international broadcast. This year’s dictation was created by Yevheniya Kuznetsova and was read on the air by actress Natalia Sumska. Those watching the broadcast listened to the dictation and handwrote a transcription.

“I decided to take part in the Ukrainian dictation because it’s a way to stay connected to my language, culture and identity,” said Sofiia Ogerchuk, a Ukrainian immigrant and junior Psychology major at Manor College. “Writing the dictation isn’t just about spelling or grammar – it’s about unity and the feeling of home.”

The event is associated with honoring the memory of Nestor the Chronicler, one of the founders of early Ukrainian writing. The holiday was established in 1997 by a presidential decree to emphasize the importance of the Ukrainian language for national identity and cultural development.

“The Ukrainian language has not only survived many attempts by Russia to destroy it, but has flourished,” said Chrystyna Prokopovych, the Curator of Manor College’s Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center. “Today, celebrating the Day of Ukrainian Language and Literacy honors everyone who has contributed in any way to the preservation of the Ukrainian language. It honors all of those who came before us and continued teaching their children Ukrainian even when the use of Ukrainian was forbidden.”

Ogerchuk added, “I believe events like this are important because language carries our history, and no matter where we live, Ukrainian traditions can be shared and celebrated across the world.”

The event was encouraged by the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, of which Manor College is a part of. The coalition was launched in 2024 with support from Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. It brings together nearly 100 universities worldwide to create joint educational courses, academic exchanges and open Ukrainian studies centers.

Manor College joined the coalition in September along with other institutions including Notre Dame, Columbia University and Arizona State University. The institution remains the only higher education institution in America founded by Ukrainian religious sisters. Manor College celebrates that heritage in numerous ways, including its own Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center on campus and operating Project Resilience.

In November, Manor College will host its semi-annual Ukraine Dialogue. The free event, sponsored by the Self Reliance Financial Federal Credit Union, brings together speakers from across the world to discuss critical political, humanitarian and social issues that face Ukraine.

The next Ukraine Dialogue takes place on November 6 and is titled, “How Ukraine’s First Lady is Bringing Ukraine’s Culture to the World Through Education.” Register for the free event here.