Day of Slavic Writing and Culture

On this day, Ukraine honors the enlighteners Cyril and Methodius. In the 9th century, the Byzantine scholar Constantine the Philosopher (Cyril) created the Glagolitic script for the mission in Great Moravia — the territory of present-day Czechia and Slovakia. He preserved the logic of the Greek alphabet but designed an intricate ornamental writing system with circles and triangles. Due to pressure from the German clergy, which demanded the use of the Latin alphabet, Cyril’s disciples were forced to leave Moravia and move to Bulgaria. It was there that they carried out an important transformation of their teacher’s system and created the Cyrillic script.

As a foundation, the disciples used the simple and clear Greek uncial writing system. Byzantium was the most influential state of that era, therefore writing in its script was considered prestigious. This reform was supported by the Bulgarian Tsar Boris I, who sought to simplify state administration. The complex symbols of the Glagolitic script were difficult to write with quills on parchment — processed animal skin. The Cyrillic script greatly simplified this process and opened broader access to Byzantine culture, philosophy, and education.

Today the Cyrillic alphabet is used by more than ten nations, with approximately 250 million users. Having their own writing system allowed the medieval Ukrainian state to record chronicles, establish laws, and conduct diplomacy.

For centuries, written heritage was preserved in monastic scriptoria through the copying of manuscripts, and later in the first printing houses, Cossack chronicles, and oral folk traditions. It helped preserve the people’s self-awareness and historical roots during long periods of imperial pressure and the absence of an independent sovereign state.

Today, books remain a source of resilience during the war that has continued since 2014. After the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainian publishing houses have continued their work. Even in Kharkiv, under shelling, book printing has not stopped. The publishing sector actively develops international connections: world bestsellers, including Japanese manga, are translated into Ukrainian. This process demonstrates Ukraine’s integration into the global cultural context.

The preservation of archives and book collections ensures the continuity of culture through time. The work of publishers documents contemporary events, while cultural diplomacy introduces the world to the origins of Ukrainian resilience. Honoring writing and literacy is a practical contribution to the protection of cultural borders and international mutual understanding.