The All-Ukrainian Radio Dictation of National Unity in 2026 will take place on October 27, on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language. For the first time in the history of the event, the text will be read as a duet by singer and volunteer Dasha Astafieva and renowned Ukrainian language and literature teacher Artur Proydakov, who ranks among the top ten teachers in the world according to the Global Teacher Prize.
Professional Path and Global Recognition
Artur Proydakov was born on April 17, 1990, in Stakhanov, Luhansk region. In 2012, he graduated from Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University with a degree in Ukrainian philology. He began his teaching career at the Stakhanov Pedagogical College and, following the outbreak of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine in 2014, moved to the Sumy region to teach in Romny schools.
The educator gained widespread recognition for his innovative teaching methods and promotion of Ukrainian culture. In 2021, he won the national Global Teacher Prize Ukraine, and in 2023, he entered the top ten finalists of the prestigious global Global Teacher Prize, becoming the first Ukrainian educator to achieve this milestone.
Educational Initiatives During the War
Following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Proydakov actively engaged in supporting Ukrainian schoolchildren and internally displaced persons. He organized language courses in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, created educational materials for the All-Ukrainian Online School and the iLearn project, and hosted educational podcasts and a Telegram channel for exam preparation.
Since 2023, Proydakov has been working as a teacher at the Kyiv school 'MriyDiy' and serving as the executive director of the 'MriyDiy Educational Foundation'. He collaborates with various public organizations to help children continue their education despite the challenges of war, earning recognition from the KSE Foundation's 'Talents for Ukraine' grant program.
Significance of the 2026 Radio Dictation and Preparation
Participation in the 2026 Radio Dictation marks a new chapter in Proydakov's efforts to promote the Ukrainian language. This year's text was authored by Ukrainian writer and veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war Artur Dron, while the reading itself will feature a duet format with Dasha Astafieva for the first time.
As the educator notes, the event aims to unite Ukrainians worldwide, including children and students. Proydakov also expressed hope that this year's event will proceed constructively, resulting in kind and unifying discussions and memes in social media, drawing on lessons from previous years.
