The Pedagogical Legacy of Maria Pidhiryanka: Love for the Child and for Ukraine

On November 3, 2026, the academic staff of the Department of Pedagogy and higher education students from the Faculty of Psychological and Pedagogical Education and Arts at Berdiansk State Pedagogical University once again joined the educational event “Mariia Pidhirianka: How Love for a Child Becomes Love for Ukraine.” The meeting took place as part of Nataliia Filipchuk’s original project, “The Blossom of Ukrainian Pedagogy: Present and Past.”

The event was moderated by Nataliia Oleksandrivna Filipchuk, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences and Senior Researcher. The lecturers of the meeting were Oleksandra Kachmar, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences and Professor at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, and Vasyl Levytskyi, publicist, ethnographer, member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, and the founder and head of the Mariika Pidhrianka Museum in the village of Bili Oslavy.

The meeting was dedicated to the figure of the Ukrainian poet and educator Mariia Pidhrianka, exploring her creative and pedagogical legacy through the lens of love for a child, the native word, and Ukraine. Turning to this topic is especially crucial today, when education is called upon to support children, nurture national identity, and ensure the connection between generations through language, culture, and shared values.

For the educators and students of BSPU, participating in the event was an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Ukrainian pedagogical heritage and reflect on its significance for modern educational practices. The figure of Mariia Pidhrianka prompts reflection on the power of a teacher’s word, respect for a child’s inner world, and fostering love for the Motherland through daily care, creativity, and the exploration of native culture.

We sincerely thank the organizers, the moderator, and the lecturers for the opportunity to explore Ukraine’s pedagogical heritage and comprehend its value for the preparation of future educators.