Ukrainian topics must not be dull

What is the national idea? One can argue endlessly about this, and every opponent will bring out his own arguments. Be that as it may, the existence of this idea is eloquently evidenced by concrete deeds. Here discoveries are not necessarily made; it is enough to turn toward our future, the younger generation that is still a blank page. Whether something will be written in it in a neat hand largely depends on our ability.

We are proud to state that much has been done in this direction, largely owing to the dedicated efforts of The Day’s editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna. She is well known to students in every Ukrainian oblast. Her visits to universities are an attempt to reinstate in the forefront something that at a certain stage of our development had faded into the background of the endless redistributions of ministerial portfolios and other posts.

This “something” is our national idea, a belief in ourselves, a desire to win this struggle. You will agree that instilling these truths in our young people is easier said than done. It is a difficult but not hopeless task. These truths must be conveyed on a one-to-one basis, in an informal atmosphere, and in a way that is interesting for both lecturers and students - and readers.

The best memories of these meetings are included in Larysa Ivshyna’s new book Moyi universytety (My Universities, 2006). Its launch took place recently during Book World 2006, along with another equally important event, the publication of Anatolii Kazansky’s book of cartoons.

A BOOK BORN IN A NEWSPAPER

The Sportyvny exhibition hall of National Physical Education University was packed with students, professors, and lecturers. It was not a lecture but a presentation of My Universities, the sixth in The Day’s Library Book Series.

This book is not designed for a specific age group. “We talk much about young people, but somehow we are not in the habit of asking students what’s on their mind. We need to get our youth involved in active discussions of what is happening in our society,” Ivshyna said.

In fact, The Day’s experience shows that young people are willing to become involved. They are eager to acquire fresh knowledge; all they need is the right atmosphere.

A number of interesting suggestions were made during the book launch, which may become the subject of the editorial board’s future work. For now it would be logical to remember how it all began.

“Ten years ago we had the nerve to say that we wanted to help build a civic society in Ukraine,” the editor recalled, “and this sounded rather exotic at the time. Now many experts believe that the situation has changed and our work seems to be the norm. “

Most importantly, there is a common idea that unites The Day with its readers. All six books of the Library Series, including My Universities, are designed to instill this in them. “In 2000, Volodymyr Panchenko, the president of Kyiv-Mohyla University, said we ought to publish a book of our essays culled from the “History and I” and “Ukraine Incognita” columns. At the time the suggestion sounded a bit strange, but now the whole thing looks as though it were a somewhat belated effort. I can say that our history tells us not to scratch our heads but become more active and move in this direction at a quicker pace, as many European countries are doing,” said the editor of The Day.

You will agree that it is enough just to take a closer look at our students and confidently predict the direction that events will take in the next 5-10 years. Judging by the reactions of young Ukrainians to the books of The Day’s Library Series, there is reason to believe that this future will be happier and full of prospects. “I am especially pleased to see that students will be able to see a critical mass of other like-minded people. Ukrainian themes have no right to be dull, Ivshyna said.

THE BEST CARTOONS

In 1998 Ukraine lost an extremely talented cartoonist, while The Day lost one of its best staff members.

Anatolii Kazansky’s works have always been given a place of honor at art exhibits, but the artist did not have an album of his own, although this was his cherished dream. Years after his death The Day is launching an album of his cartoons. “This project is very important for me personally,” notes Ivshyna, “because Anatolii was a great artist, and this is no exaggeration. In many respects his style determined The Day’s. Kazansky was a unique personality, who is now immortalized thanks to the boundless affection for him on the part of our journalists.”