The Vice-Rector of the University Serhii Bortnyk addressed the participants of the event with a welcoming speech, emphasising the importance of the Great Kobzar in the struggle of the Ukrainian nation for its independence and reciting the poem ‘Caucasus’. Professor of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies Ihor Chornyi introduced the students to the main purpose of the competition: to identify creatively gifted youth and develop their potential; to foster respect for the language and traditions of their people; and to improve the level of language education. Associate Professor Nataliia Kobylko and Senior Lecturer Nataliia Yelnikova presented the tasks of the first stage to the participants.
This year, the cadets and students wrote a reflection essay to confirm or refute Yevhen Sverstiuk's opinion: ‘The phenomenon of Shevchenko reflects our national nature, our worldview, our past and our hope for the future. He symbolises the soul of the Ukrainian people, embodies their dignity, spirit and memory...’. The participants presented their own vision of the artist's figure in the modern world. In total, 58 contestants took part in the event.
The winners of the first stage of Taras Shevchenko International Literary Contest for Pupils and Students in the category ‘Cadets’ are:
I place - Kyrylo Tarasenko, cadet of the ERI No. 1 (supervisor - Nataliia Yelnikova, senior lecturer of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies);
II place - Diana Humeniuk, cadet of the ERI No. 2 (supervisor - Senior Lecturer of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies, Candidate of Philological Sciences Olena Overchuk), Daria Troianska, cadet of the ERI No. 1 (supervisor - Senior Lecturer of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies Nataliia Yelnikova);
III place - cadet of the ERI No. 4 Yevhen Novikov (supervisor - Professor of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies, Doctor of Philology Ihor Chornyi), cadet of the ERI No. 2 Maksym Lavryk (supervisor - Senior Lecturer of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies, Candidate of Philology Olena Overchuk).
I place - student Olha Domitrishina (supervisor - Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies, Candidate of Philology Natalia Kobylko);
II place - student Bohdanna Kasyanchuk (supervisor - Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies, Candidate of Philology Nataliia Kobylko);
III place - student Yelyzaveta Ryzhova (supervisor - Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies, PhD in Philology Nataliia Kobylko).
We congratulate the winners and wish them to represent our university at the regional level!
The competition was organised by the Department of Humanities and Ukrainian Studies.