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The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

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How Ukraine's annual radio dictation brings a nation together, one word at a time
Culture

How Ukraine's annual radio dictation brings a nation together, one word at a time

by Kate Tsurkan

As it turns out, dictation exercises are not just for schoolchildren. On Oct. 27, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians — from diaspora communities abroad to service members on the front lines — will take part in an annual tradition: listening, writing, and testing their mastery of the Ukrainian language. Organized by Ukrainian Radio since 2000, the annual Radio Dictation celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, bringing participants together to transcribe a text broadcast live acros

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Thursday, November 5

Exclusive: Trump envoy's push to reopen Lithuanian ports to Belarus exposes rift in Washington

The Trump administration's push to reopen Lithuanian ports to Belarusian potash exports is being driven by U.S. envoy John Coale and does not reflect a broader policy shift in Washington, multiple U.S. and European officials told the Kyiv Independent. The initiative has little support within the administration, with U.S. officials describing it as Coale acting independently rather than advancing an agreed government policy. Lithuania, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, also has no plans to change

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv water supply disrupted after power fluctuations due to Russian attacks

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100 days in, what changed for Ukraine's soldiers under Commander-in-Chief Drapatyi?

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi marked 100 days as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in late October, as Ukraine regains ground in the northern part of Donetsk Oblast and seeks to improve defensive positions before winter. Drapatyi, one of Ukraine's most popular generals, was appointed in July with high expectations that he would deliver much-needed reforms to the armed forces. His promotion to commander-in-chief came after President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed his unpopular pr

The US blue wave is not blue and yellow — yet

The results of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections have brought the Democratic Party a largely anticipated, if nonetheless remarkable in scale, victory. Democrats have outperformed even the most optimistic expectations, dramatically shifting the balance of power in Washington in their favor. With the coalition that brought Donald Trump back to the White House two years ago now under strain, those following Washington's Ukraine policy may well be wondering: where does all this leave Kyiv? Given the

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Our reporting on literature, films, art, and traditions from Ukraine and the latest news on culture in Eastern Europe.

Ukrainian culture
Ukrainian culture has survived centuries of Russian attempts to appropriate Ukrainian art, silence Ukrainian artists, and erase the Ukrainian language. Modern Ukrainian writers, filmmakers, and musicians — some of whom are serving on the front lines — continue to develop Ukrainian culture and fight for Ukraine’s future.

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