Ukrainian books for Ukrainian schools abroad

Ukraine has finally started taking an interest in the Ukrainian Diaspora and begun responding to its cultural and educational needs. On the initiative of the Lviv Oblast Council, the residents of the city of Lviv recently launched the project “Give a Book to a Ukrainian School Abroad.”

This noble idea was conceived in August 2001, when the 1st International Conference on Education was taking place in the “City of Lions.” A number of contacts were established, and measures aimed at exchanging the latest technology and teaching methods were drafted. At that time the residents of Lviv began sending needed teaching materials to schools in Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Canada, and elsewhere.

The oblast council of the fifth convocation set up Ukraine’s first Commission for Contacts with Ukrainians Abroad. The council allotted 100,000 hryvnias for sewing costumes for several dance groups based at Shashkevych School in the voivodeship of Subcarpathia; books, including a monograph commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian book publishing in Peremyshl (Przemysl, Poland); and other projects.

The commission’s members visited Shevchenko School in Siget (Romania), Shashkevych School in Peremyshl, and several schools in Marmor (Romania). After that it became clear that the biggest problem is a shortage of Ukrainian books. Lviv residents are placing big hopes on this year’s book forum, when anyone who wishes will be able to make a contribution toward helping Ukrainians abroad. Books will also be collected on the premises of the Lviv Oblast Council’s press service, which will be accepting books inscribed with dedications and best wishes.