On September 1, 2025, the first lesson under the symbolic title "Donetsk Region - an Outpost of an Unbreakable Country" was held for students of grades 5-11 at Mariupol State University in Kyiv. The event brought together more than 3,700 students from across the region.
The lesson was taught by Tetiana Kolgan, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Economic Affairs of the Donetsk Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, and Andrii Dubiaga, Methodologist of the Department of National Education, Extracurricular and Civic and Historical Education.
Yulia Burtseva, acting director of the Department of Education and Science of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, Oleksandr Pecherytsia, a soldier of the Azov Regiment and People's Artist of Ukraine, Volodymyr Avdeyenko, a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war and head of the Kyiv Regional Center for Preparing the Population for National Resistance, and his colleague with the call sign "Artist" congratulated the children on the start of the new school year.
The lesson began with poetic lines by fellow Donetsk resident Volodymyr Sosiura, a native of Debaltseve, which symbolically emphasized the connection between generations and the indomitable spirit of the Donetsk land.
The organizers emphasized the role of Donetsk region as an outpost of Ukraine since 2014, recalling the heroism of the defenders of the hero cities of Volnovakha and Mariupol. Particular attention was paid to the defense of Azovstal, which has become a symbol of the invincibility of Ukrainians for the whole world and thwarted the aggressor's plans to quickly seize Ukrainian territories.
During the interactive part of the lesson, the children created an associative series for the word "invincibility," worked on a mental map of the future of Ukraine and Donetsk region in particular, and identified specific steps they could take today to improve the life of their homeland.
The key idea of the lesson was the idea that the resilience of Ukrainians is based on patriotism, love for Ukraine and Donetsk region, cooperation, mutual assistance and volunteering. The organizers emphasized that every conscious and useful action of citizens is a step towards victory, and there are no small things on the way to victory. The lesson ended with the words: "We believe in our victory! We are bringing it closer with all our might!"
This first lesson was not only a symbolic beginning of the new school year, but also a powerful manifestation of the unity and cohesion of the children of Donetsk region, who, despite all the trials of war, retain an unshakable faith in the future of their land. The lesson "Donetsk region is an outpost of an unbreakable country" laid a solid foundation for raising conscious citizens who understand their responsibility for the fate of their native land and the whole of Ukraine.