The Dnipro Jewish Community marked the birthday of Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko – the great Ukrainian poet, artist, and thinker whose work has become an integral part of Ukraine’s national culture. Commemorative events took place across various community institutions, primarily in its educational establishments, where students and college girls had the opportunity to revisit the legacy of the Kobzar, learn more about his life, and feel the relevance of his words for the present day.
The day was especially vibrant at the Levi Yitzchak Schneerson Jewish Lyceum No. 144, the leading educational institution of the Dnipro Jewish Community. An interactive quest dedicated to the life and work of Taras Shevchenko was held for fifth-grade students. The organizers aimed to introduce the Kobzar to the schoolchildren in a lively and engaging format, structuring the program as a series of creative tasks and intellectual challenges.
During the quest, students solved puzzles containing encrypted facts from Shevchenko’s life, guessed the titles of his paintings and literary works from fragments, and listened to modern musical compositions set to the poet’s verses. This format allowed the children to see Taras Shevchenko not merely as a historical figure from textbooks, but as a living and inspiring author whose texts continue to resonate today.
Students of the IHPI “Beit Chana” also celebrated the Kobzar’s birthday with a themed educational evening, where participants deepened their knowledge of Taras Shevchenko’s life and creative path. Ukrainian literature teacher Inna Zerkal spoke about lesser-known pages of the poet’s biography and emphasized the significance of his work for the formation of national consciousness. The program also included educational games and quizzes, in which the students recalled lines from the Kobzar’s works and tested their knowledge of his life.
“It is very important to us that our lyceum students grow up not only educated but also as true citizens of their country,” said Svitlana Romеnska, Deputy Director of the Jewish Lyceum. “Familiarity with the legacy of Taras Shevchenko helps young people gain a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture, feel responsibility for the future of their country, and realize that love for one’s native land begins with respect for its history, values, and heritage, as is established in the united and cohesive Dnipro Jewish Community under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
