The “Donetsk Region” Educational Hub hosted a meeting with Mila Vasilenko, a poet from the Lyman region, which brought together lovers of poetry.
During the event, participants discussed poetry as a unique way of seeing the world, expressing one’s feelings and experiences, and conveying meanings that are important to every Ukrainian. Participants learned about Mila Vasilenko’s life and creative journey and discovered what inspires her to write poetry and how poetic images are born.
A special part of the gathering was the poetry workshop. Under Mila Vasylenko’s guidance, participants tried their hand at crafting poetic language: they selected words and rhymes and worked with epithets, imagery, and associations. Thanks to the interactive format, everyone had the opportunity to experience how a poetic text gradually takes shape from thoughts, emotions, and individual words. The discussion was complemented by questions for the poet, as well as the attendees’ personal reflections and impressions.
The gathering became a space for sincere communication, creativity, and the vibrant Ukrainian language. On this day, the poetic lines sounded especially heartfelt—they intertwined love for the homeland, the pain of war, hope, faith in victory, and the dream of returning home.
Such gatherings once again demonstrate that books and the poetic word have the power to unite people, offer support in difficult times, preserve the memory of one’s homeland, and reveal new meanings in literature.
Based on materials from the Donetsk Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education