Over the years, the National Unity Radio Dictation has become a major language flashmob uniting Ukrainians worldwide. The project, being held for the 27th time in 2026, engages leading writers to create texts, while famous actors, cultural figures, and military personnel voice them. Ahead of this large-scale event, it is worth looking back at what the dictation texts were like in previous years and who read them from 2021 to 2025.
Recent Radio Dictations: From Zabuzhko to Kuznetsova
The text for the 2025 Radio Dictation, titled "Треба жити!", was written by Ukrainian writer Yevhenia Kuznetsova and read by actress Natalia Sumska. The piece focused on the ability to appreciate life, love family, and find joy in simple things during the war, although Sumska faced criticism in social media for reading at too fast a pace. A year earlier, in 2024, writer and poet Oksana Zabuzhko authored the text "Магія голосу", which was read by poet and serviceman Pavlo Vyshebaba. This dictation was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian radio and emphasized the power of the human voice to unite people at a distance.
Symbolism of Texts During the Full-Scale Invasion
In 2023, the dictation text "Дороги України" was created by writer Kateryna Kalitko and voiced by actor and director Oleksiy Hnatkovsky. The piece told of roads as a symbol of unity, memory, resilience, and the reconstruction of places destroyed by war. In 2022, right after Russia's full-scale invasion began, writer and director Iryna Tsilyk wrote the text "Tвій дім", read by People's Artist of Ukraine Ada Rogovtseva. This dictation reflected the pain of losing one's home and deep faith in returning to peaceful territories. Earlier, in 2021, writer Yuriy Andrukhovych authored and read the text "Слідом за пам'яттю", dedicated to a city park and memories.
Features of the 2026 Flashmob
In 2026, the National Unity Radio Dictation will take place on October 27 at 11:00 on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language. This year's text, titled "Лист, який не закінчуется", was prepared by Ukrainian writer and veteran Artur Dron. The organizers introduced an important innovation: for the first time in the project's history, the text will be read live in a duet. Ukrainian language teacher Artur Proydakov and singer and volunteer Dasha Astafieva will alternate reading after each paragraph. Suspilne Movлення will provide live broadcasting, and the text for independent checking will be published on October 29 at 11:00.
The Significance of the Radio Dictation for Ukrainian Society
The tradition of writing the radio dictation has long surpassed a regular educational flashmob, turning into a powerful tool for national unity. Every year, the texts reflect the key experiences of society, whether it is the pain of losing a home, the power of the voice under occupation, or the importance of sincere communication with loved ones. The project demonstrates the continuity of Ukraine's cultural life, bringing millions of people together around their native word.
