Established in 2007, UUARC’s From Childhood to Taras program promotes Ukrainian language, literature, and cultural heritage through an annual poetry recitation competition honoring Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s national poet.
The program encourages young Ukrainians to develop a deeper appreciation for Shevchenko’s writing, strengthen their command of the Ukrainian language, and learn more about their country’s history and national identity.
Each March, students between the ages of 12 and 18 participate in competitions organized by teachers of Ukrainian language and literature. Students begin at the grade level, with successful participants advancing through school district, county, and regional competitions. Throughout the process, they study, memorize, and recite Shevchenko’s poetry, developing their language and public speaking skills while engaging with some of Ukraine’s most important literary works.
Winners receive an educational trip to Kyiv and Kaniv, with travel expenses covered by UUARC. In Kyiv, students visit historical and cultural landmarks, including Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), the Golden Gate, Saint Andrew’s Church, and Independence Square. The journey continues to Kaniv, where students visit the burial site and memorial of Taras Shevchenko, often referred to as the Bard of Ukraine. The trip provides an opportunity to experience firsthand the places, history, and cultural heritage they have studied.
Since its establishment, From Childhood to Taras has expanded to include students from across Ukraine. Previous competitions have welcomed participants from Crimea and the oblasts of Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr, as well as participants from Transnistria, Moldova.
UUARC seeks sponsors each year to support participation from different regions and cover students’ travel expenses. Through the work of Ukrainian language and literature teachers, community sponsors, and UUARC supporters, the program has introduced generations of young Ukrainians to Shevchenko’s poetry while encouraging the continued study of Ukrainian language, literature, and history.
Support Ukrainian Language & Cultural Education
For more than 80 years, UUARC has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians through donations, community partnerships, and volunteer efforts. Financial contributions help support educational and cultural programs that encourage Ukrainian children to study their language, literature, history, and national heritage.
Make a Donation | Contact Us
United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC)
215.728.1630 |
UUARC@uuarc.org