In Dnipro, the Jewish Lyceum No. 144 named after Levi Yitzchak Schneerson hosted the citywide interschool recitation competition “Inspired by the Word” — a significant event that brought together young talents from lyceums and gymnasiums of the city’s Central District, offering unforgettable moments of connection with the beauty of poetic expression.
This year, the traditional declamation contest gained special significance, uniting students from various educational institutions and offering three age categories: grades 1–4, 5–8, and 9–11. For the first time, a touching nomination titled “Poetry Without Borders” was introduced for children with special educational needs, emphasizing inclusivity and the boundless nature of art.
The competition was opened by Lyceum Principal Olena Krasnova, along with distinguished guests — Olena Yakovenko, Head of General Secondary Education at Dnipro’s Department of Humanitarian Policy, and Maryna Ratushna, Lead Specialist of the same department. They noted that the event was a true celebration of the soul, allowing young declaimers to reveal their talents, share their visions, and bring inspiration to the audience.
Winners in the age categories:
- Grades 1–4: Karolina Moskalenko, Grade 4, Dnipro Gymnasium No. 59, teacher — Maya Khabotina.
- Grades 5–8: Maksym Kandybur, Grade 7, Lyceum No. 144 named after Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, teacher — Olena Ilchenko.
- Grades 9–11: Hlib Bohdanov, Grade 11, Ukrainian-American Lyceum, teacher — Nataliya Trotsko.
In the “Poetry Without Borders” nomination, all participants were declared winners. “The performances by children with special needs deeply moved every person in the audience. Their courage, sincerity, and love for poetry deserve the highest praise. Each of them was warmly welcomed and received a participant’s diploma and a sweet prize,” said jury member Alla Burakovska. Together with Nataliya Halych and Svitlana Loboda, she had the challenging task of selecting the winners — a true challenge given the high level of talent on display.
Olena Yakovenko expressed heartfelt gratitude to the lyceum’s leadership for organizing such an important event for the children of Dnipro. She emphasized that poetry remains a powerful force — one that unites, uplifts, and inspires. Special thanks were extended to the teachers for their dedicated work and to the students themselves for their authenticity, emotion, and special gift for “living” each poetic line.
