The All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine, alongside protecting members’ rights, ensuring social guarantees, and providing decent working conditions, pays significant attention to their educational and cultural development. Such projects are an integral part of the Union’s activities, as they contribute to the comprehensive growth of Ukraine’s defenders and their families.

This past weekend, on the initiative of the organization’s women’s wing, in collaboration with Angelika Kornienko, co-founder of the public initiative #InfoVARTA, and Olena Smal, head of Library No. 150 in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi District, a historical lecture and a workshop on ruthenium were held.

Ruthenium is a revived national script and an important tool for Ukrainian self-identification. It is a graphic system that restores the writing traditions of ancestors, embodies symbols of freedom, protection, and victory, and revives the authentic Ukrainian alphabet, distinct from the Moscow-imposed version of 1710.

The project “Ruthenium: The Graphics of the Ukrainian Language” was presented to the participants by its director, scholar, and calligrapher Angelika Kornienko. During the session, she provided a detailed explanation of the characteristics of Ukrainian graphemes, their symbolism, and the traditions of ancient writing, while convincingly debunking common myths about the supposed inferiority of the Ukrainian cultural code.

“The All-Ukrainian Trade Union of Defenders of Ukraine is not only about protecting rights but also about personal development. We support educational projects, create spaces for learning, dialogue, and reflection on important topics. We plan to hold Ruthenium classes regularly so that as many Ukrainians as possible understand who we are, because a strong country begins with people who think, know, and feel,” said Sofia Cherepanova, Deputy Head of the Trade Union.