On 21 February, an educational event devoted to International Mother Language Day was held at Odesa Technical Professional College of ONTU. Students of group 1RP-11 Tetiana Bezhenar, Oleksandra Kuznetsova and Bohdan Didur, under the supervision of Ukrainian language lecturer M. M. Burundukova, prepared thematic presentations and substantive reports on the history of this observance, which was established by UNESCO at the 30th session of the General Conference in 1999 to support linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. In Ukraine this observance has a special significance, because the Ukrainian language travelled a thorny path to acquire the status of the state language of Ukraine. The students of the group took an active part in discussing this issue, since the events of recent years have prompted a rethinking of the role of the native language in the life of every Ukrainian, emphasising the significance of language as a symbol of unity and national identity. Besides the reports and the viewing of thematic presentations, the students recited poems by famous Ukrainian classic and contemporary poets and read quotations about language, proverbs, sayings and aphorisms. Such events help deepen knowledge about the history of the native language and foster a sense of patriotism and pride in the cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people.
