The Department of Philology and Translation of the SEI “Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology” invites students to participate in the first stage of the XVII International Taras Shevchenko Language and Literature Competition for Students and Young People.

At USUST, the first stage of the competition is held in accordance with the Rector’s Order and will run from October 23 to November 6, 2026.

The tasks are available on the USUCT distance learning website via the link (self-registration).

This year, the competition section for students of the USUCT SEI consists of two parts:

• the first task is the test “Shevchenko_Code: Decode_Kobzar”, which assesses knowledge of the poet’s life and creative career, his works, and his artistic world;
• the second task is an essay of 2–3 pages, up to 5,000 printed characters, in which participants are invited to explore the famous words of Taras Shevchenko from his poem “The Caucasus”: “Fight—and you will overcome; God will help you!”

Thus, the competition provides an opportunity not only to test knowledge of Shevchenko’s biography and literary works but also to offer one’s own interpretation of his words, demonstrate the ability to construct arguments and formulate ideas, and work with the Ukrainian language.

To evaluate the competition entries, a jury was established at the USUCT SEI, comprising:

• Oleksandr Savchenko, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Philology and Translation — Chair of the Jury;
• Liudmyla Kulakevych, Professor at the Department of Philology and Translation;
• Liudmyla Haponova, Associate Professor at the Department of Philology and Translation.

Larysa Bohuslavska, Associate Professor at the Department of Ukrainian Studies and Foreign Languages of the SEI “Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture” and a specialist at the USUST Department of Student Educational Work, has been appointed the competition coordinator at USUST.

The International Taras Shevchenko Language and Literature Competition for Students and Young People was established by Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 928/2010 of September 30, 2010. The competition regulations were approved by Resolution No. 571 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated June 1, 2011. Its purpose is to honor the creative legacy of Taras Shevchenko, support creatively gifted young people, and encourage school and university students to study the Ukrainian language and literature in greater depth.

The competition is held annually. University students participate in three stages: the first at the institutional level, the second at the regional level, and the third and final stage at the national level.

We invite students of the USUCT SEI to take part in the competition, test their knowledge, and offer their own interpretation of Taras Shevchenko’s works — words that continue to resonate and be reinterpreted by new generations.