On 20 December 2017 the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij sent a letter to President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in support of the initiative of 178 People’s Deputies, 36 well‑known Ukrainian academics, writers and artists, and the Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine on Culture and Spirituality to declare 2018 as the Year of the State Language.
The UWC highlighted that the Ukrainian language, which for centuries suffered as a result of forced Russification, is one of the important factors in the spiritual rebirth of the Ukrainian nation.
The UWC also drew attention to the appeal of the Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine on Culture and Spirituality which underscores that a Decree by the President of Ukraine declaring 2018 as the Year of the State Language would strengthen the role and significance of the Ukrainian language as a constitutionally consolidating factor, contribute to solidifying national unity and developing the national consciousness, entrenching the state language and expanding its use in all walks of societal life.
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko to declare 2018 as the Year of the State Language,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
