“The Code of Lesia Ukrainka: the Voice of the Epoch – a Formula for Indomitability”

25.2.2026

On February 23, the patriotic and educational event “The Code of Lesia Ukrainka: the Voice of the Epoch – a Formula for Indomitability” was held at Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University.

The event was initiated by Larysa Vorona, a Professor at the Department of Special Education, Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, who moderated the meeting.

The event was dedicated to the figure of Lesia Ukrainka — a symbol of strength, intelligence, and indomitability of the Ukrainian spirit. The participants of the event turned to her work as a source of inspiration and moral stability, which today is gaining special significance in the conditions of war. Those present honored with a minute of silence those who gave their lives for Ukraine, emphasizing the continuity of the struggle for freedom and dignity.

The discussion focused not only on the poetess’s literary heritage, but also on her role as a symbol of the Ukrainian woman — a thinking, courageous woman capable of acting despite circumstances. The participants emphasized that today Ukrainian women continue to demonstrate strength in various fields — from science to military service, volunteering and cultural activities.

The university’s rector, Olena Karaman, delivered a welcoming speech. In her address, she emphasized that Lesia Ukrainka’s work is a guide for the modern generation, and her words about indomitability and inner strength resonate with the experience of the university community, which, despite the challenges of war and the loss of material infrastructure, has preserved its team, traditions and aspiration for development. The rector emphasized that today the university is an example of resilience — an institution that proves that even after losing its walls, one can preserve one’s soul.

A special element of the event was the speeches of invited guests. Poltava artist Zoia Kovalenko presented embroidered portraits of Lesia Ukrainka, combining poetic words with traditional art, and the head of the Poltava branch of the Public Service of Ukraine Hanna Kiyashchenko shared her own thoughts on the role of Ukrainian women in state-building processes.

Among the guests of the event was also a modern Ukrainian writer, laureate of the Leonid Brazov, Volodymyr Malik, Ivan Kotlyarevsky, Ivan Koshelivets, Panas Myrny and “Coronation of the Word” literary awards, Raisa Vasylivna Plotnikova.

Kateryna Rashevska, a children’s rights activist, lawyer, and Doctor of Philosophy in the field of international law, joined the event online from Germany with an emotional speech. Ms. Kateryna’s voice is heard from the rostrum of the UN Security Council, she forces the world to call things by their real names: the deportation of Ukrainian children is a crime, and the incompetent president of the empire of murderers is a key suspect in The Hague.

The head of the Lubny branch of the NGO “Defense of the State” Vitaliy Holovko also joined the conversation, who emphasized the importance of the spiritual stability of Ukrainian society and the role of cultural heritage in the formation of national consciousness. He emphasized that the examples of courage of modern Ukrainian women, in particular servicewomen and volunteers, are a continuation of the strength that Lesia Ukrainka personified.

The participants of the event also had the opportunity to hear the voice of modernity — the experience of military service was presented by Senior Sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktoriia Polushyna, a university graduate, who shared her own story of serving Ukraine.

The event ended with a symbolic gesture – the rector Olena Karaman presented the guests with a memorable gift – a picture of Taras Shevchenko, whose name the university bears. This gift became a sign of gratitude and a symbol of the spiritual unity of generations.

The event proved that Lesia Ukrainka’s words remain alive today – in the voices of modern Ukrainian women, in the strength of the people’s spirit and in the indomitability of the university community.

According to the Special Education Department