UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Oct. 27 — On Oct. 27, Kharkiv locals — adults and children — wrote a national unity radio dictation in one of the city’s subway schools.
Every year since 2000, Ukrainian Radio has traditionally hosted a national unity radio dictation. Everyone could participate in writing because of an organized live broadcast. Through this tradition, Ukrainians celebrate the Day of Ukrainian Literature and Language.
In 2025, modern Ukrainian writer Yevheniia Kuznietsova became the author of the text for dictation, and Ukrainian actress Nataliia Sumska read it.
About 150 Kharkiv locals wrote a dictation in a subway school, including pupils, their parents, subway workers, and representatives of the Kharkiv City Council, said Iryna Tarasenko, head of the secondary education department at the Department of Education in Kharkiv.
Danylo, a 10th-grade pupil, said that this dictation was harder than their usual exercises at school.
“However, it was a very useful experience for me and my classmates. I think such activities connect us,” Danylo said.
Iryna Honcharenko, a dispatcher at the Kharkiv subway, decided to test her knowledge and write a dictation this year. She said she was nervous like she’s been back in her school days, but was pleasantly surprised.
“It was hard for me because I don’t remember how to write some words, but I really liked the text, it was deep and related to current events,” said Iryna.
After the event, anyone who wishes could submit their work by mail or online to Ukrainian Radio to have their results officially verified. People also can check the text independently, as the exercise’s organizers publish the original text within two days.
Some participants criticized the text of the dictation.
Khrystyna Hoianiuk has been writing radio dictations for 26 years in a row, and last year she was the only participant who wrote the dictation without any mistakes.
During the live broadcast on Ukrainian Radio, Hoianiuk called Yevheniia Kuznietsova’s text “silly” and said that “its reading was really bad.”
“They should find someone who could dictate correctly, rather than simply read the text aloud,” Hoianiuk added.
The author of the text responded to the critic, saying, “Radio dictation truly unites.”
“Now everyone is united by the idea that the reading of the dictation was really bad, and when the text is published, everyone will unite under the slogan “Why is there a comma there?” This is a dictation of national unity, you have been warned!” said Kuznietsova.
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