134 Times Banned: The Soviet Era's Assault on the Ukrainian Language

The Ukrainian language has faced numerous periods of suppression throughout its history. One significant period was during the Soviet era, when the language was systematically restricted and marginalized. A decree from July 1933, for instance, halted Ukrainianization efforts, leading to the persecution of intellectuals and the russification of education. This was further intensified by a 1938 resolution that mandated the compulsory study of Russian in schools across the Soviet Union, effectively sidelining the Ukrainian language. Later, laws like the 1958 act aimed at strengthening the connection between schools and life, subtly enforced the dominance of Russian. As Mariia Slovolyb, a Ukrainian diction and pronunciation tutor, points out, "Russian became a voluntarily compulsory language," demonstrating the subtle yet pervasive nature of these policies. This historical context underscores the ongoing importance of preserving and promoting the Ukrainian language.