Ukrainians Chose Heroes for School Portraits on Diia
Ukrainians have chosen historical figures whose portraits may soon appear in schools. Scientist Oleksandr Bogomolets and poet Olena Teliga received the most votes in a nationwide poll conducted on the “Diya” app.
In total, the poll identified 20 Ukrainians—both men and women—who have had the greatest impact on the development of science, technology, society, and culture.
The poll was conducted by the Ministry of Education and Science. Over the course of five days, “Diya” users selected the most outstanding figures from among 30 candidates who had been shortlisted by historians and experts. In the category “Ukrainians Who Changed Science and Technology,” Oleksandr Bogomolets took first place. He received 13,131 votes.
The top ten also included Sofiia Okunevska-Morachevska, Stepan Rudnytskyi, Kateryna Yushchenko, Liubomyr Romankiv, Mykhailo Kravchuk, Ivan Horbachevskyi, Anatolii Skorokhod, Heorhii Kistyakivskyi, and Mykola Pilchikov. Oleksandr Bohomolets was an outstanding pathophysiologist. He studied the body’s aging processes and developed a serum that helped fractures heal faster and soft tissues regenerate.
In the second category—“Ukrainians Who Changed Society and Culture”—Olena Teliga received the most votes. She was supported by 14,946 Ukrainians. Petro Mohyla took second place, followed by Ihor Yukhnovsky, Olena Stepaniv, Arkhip Kuindzhi, Milena Rudnytska, Sofia Rusova, Agatangel Krymsky, Heorhii Narbut, and Mykola Lukash.
Olena Teliga was a poet and a participant in the Ukrainian liberation movement. During World War II, she headed the Writers’ Union in occupied Kyiv. In 1942, she was executed by the Nazis in Babyn Yar. The Ministry of Education and Science noted that these 20 figures will be only the first part of a major educational project. In the future, the list is planned to be expanded, and portraits of famous Ukrainians are set to appear in schools across the country.
The Lviv region will be the first to launch a pilot project in 2026 to display these portraits in educational institutions. Each art portrait will feature a QR code. By scanning it, students will be able to access additional materials about the life and work of the historical figure, as well as watch video stories. The Ministry of Education and Science emphasizes that the project’s goal is not only to decorate school facilities but also to help children better understand Ukrainians who have contributed to the development of science, culture, and society. This was reported by the Ministry of Education and Science.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish President Karol Nawrocki may hold their first in-person meeting in the near future. After a brief conversation, the leaders agreed to try to coordinate their schedules during the NATO summit. The parties are working to ensure that the meeting takes place in the near future.
