Ridna Mova (Native Language) Day — The Day of the Ukrainian Language

For the Ukrainian people, this occasion carries particular depth, for language is the heart of the nation — a living source of our culture and the strongest bond between generations. Across the country, literary readings, language marathons, and educational events highlight the beauty and richness of the Ukrainian word.

The Ukrainian language has ancient roots reaching back to the Kyivan state of the 9th–13th centuries. Over the centuries, it developed as an open and dynamic system, absorbing the richness of European culture. In border regions, Ukrainian naturally intertwines with the languages of neighboring peoples: in Zakarpattia it is enriched with Hungarian words, in Bukovyna with Romanian influences, and in the south one can hear echoes of Bulgarian. History has also left traces of Latin, German, and Polish in our vocabulary. Thanks to shared Slavic origins, Ukrainians easily find linguistic bridges with Poles and Czechs, as words cross borders freely, connecting the heart of Europe. For every Ukrainian, the native language is a symbol of home, safety, and personal dignity. It is the space where our songs and distinctive worldview are preserved and passed on to future generations.

The history of the Ukrainian word includes periods of severe trials. Throughout the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, the language faced constant pressure from imperial regimes. Official bans sought to restrict its use in education, culture, and publishing. During the Soviet era, Ukrainian was systematically marginalized, pushed out of scientific and official use. Yet Ukrainians found ways to preserve their identity. The language lived on in families, among intellectual circles, and in everyday life. Every word preserved against the odds became a testament to the nation’s spiritual resilience.

Today, during Russia’s full-scale invasion, the question of language has gained renewed urgency. The aggression aims at the destruction of Ukrainian identity, including attempts to ban the language in occupied territories, alter school curricula, and destroy books. There is a deliberate effort to erase the very memory of the Ukrainian people’s distinctiveness. In such circumstances, the Ridna Mova — the Ukrainian language — becomes a powerful instrument of protection and solidarity. For modern Ukrainians, speaking their Ridna Mova is a conscious choice of freedom and self-respect.

Contemporary Ukraine demonstrates remarkable unity around its language. More and more people are choosing to speak Ukrainian in daily life, seeing in it a way to safeguard their inner world from external aggression. The state supports the development of cinema, literature, and music, creating conditions for cultural flourishing. This is a natural return to one’s roots — a process that fills society with energy and confidence in the future. Honoring the Ridna Mova in Ukraine is a celebration of life and of an unbreakable spirit. Every conversation in Ukrainian is a contribution to the preservation of global diversity. We value the opportunity to speak the language of our ancestors and do everything we can to ensure that it continues to sound freely.