On March 5, 2026, on the eve of Taras Shevchenko's birthday, the 34th regional recitation contest “In a Free, New Family” was held, dedicated to the memory of the Great Kobzar. Shevchenko is a contemporary of independent Ukraine and a symbol of cultural resistance and affirmation of our identity, and participation in the competition proves that the Ukrainian word is a powerful weapon that does not die or perish.
The participants in the competition are those who not only read Shevchenko, but also understand him, who carry his ideas into the future, who create the newest history of our country. Thanks to such events, Ukraine will remain strong and free.
This year, we have over 110 applications from participants representing more than 30 communities in Donetsk and other regions of Ukraine.
The reciters' skills were evaluated by a jury consisting of experts in the field of culture in Donetsk region, chaired by Mykola Krypchuk, professor at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and head of the Department of Stage and Show Direction.
The winners in different age categories were:
Age Category I:
- First prize winner – Sofia Bartashevich, city of Pokrovsk
- Second prize winners – Ksenia Konyushok, Khlibodarivska TG, village of Vilne; Stella Drozd, city of Kramatorsk
- Third prize winners – Nelly Zubatenko, Khlibodarivska TG, village of Vilne; Alexander Makarov, city of Lyman
- First degree diploma winners – Asma Abdel Gader, city of Kramatorsk
- Second degree diploma winners – Maria Dzyubak, city of Pokrovsk; Viktoria Didyk, Rivne region, village of Teslugiv
- Third-degree diploma recipient – Simchuk Sofia, city of Kostyantynivka
Age Category II:
First-degree winners – Mikheeva Tetiana, city of Kramatorsk
- Second-degree winner – Fomenko Svitlana, Khlibodarivska TG, village of Vilne
- Third degree laureate – Inga Frolova, city of Bakhmut; Yaroslav Susidko, Vuhledar TG, village of Maksymivka
- First degree diploma winner – Oleksandr Synytskyi, Lyman TG, village of Rubtsi; Svitlana Demicheva, Khlibodarivska TG, village of Vilne
- Second prize winners – Tetyana Salieva, Bakhmut; Yevgeniya Lysytsyna, Vuhledar TG
- Third prize winners – Tetyana Konopko, Dobropillia TG; Valentina Fil, Vuhledar TG, Petrivske village
Literary Compositions:
- First degree laureate – Tetiana Yevstafieva, city of Kramatorsk
- Second degree laureate – Daryna Omelich, Maryinka TG, village of Kostyantynivka
- First degree diploma winner – Yevgeniya Zayats, Toretsk TG
The popularity of the Regional Recitation Contest “In a Free, New Family” proves once again that the words of poets are still powerful and relevant today.