At American University Kyiv, we hosted an event that united generations, meanings, and inspiration – a meeting between AUK students and the creative group MUR within the framework of the AUK Leadership Club.
MUR is a team of artists who speak about history and identity through the music, theater, and educational video. Their projects “Ty [Romantyka]” and “Rebelia [1991]” have become powerful cultural phenomena that combine art and collective memory.
During the meeting, Oleksandr Zaika, Maria O’Reilly, and Viktor Tkachenko from MUR spoke with students about language as a force of culture, freedom, and dignity:
“Language is not just words. It is memory, character, a way of thinking, and the code of a nation. When we speak Ukrainian, we are not merely communicating – we are restoring the continuity of our culture.”
The event began with an online address from AUK President Dan Rice:
“Today, the Ukrainian people, culture, and language stand as symbols of the fight for freedom and democratic values. The whole world is proud of you! I encourage you, as the young generation, to take pride in your heritage and strengthen the pride of Ukraine.”
During the event, we also officially proclaimed the AUK Language Declaration – an initiative aimed at fostering an environment where the Ukrainian language, alongside English, is spoken naturally, deeply, and with inspiration.
We are deeply grateful to MUR for their sincerity, strength, and inspiration, and to our students – for their openness, energy, and commitment to building Ukraine’s future on the foundation of language, culture, and dignity.
Dnipro
