Ukrainian Radio Marks 100th Anniversary as a Voice of Resilience and Unity

LVIV – Ukrainian Radio marked its 100th anniversary with a gala celebration on November 15 at the National Opera of Ukraine

On November 15, Ukrainian Radio celebrated its 100th anniversary with a grand gala at the National Opera of Ukraine, a testament to its enduring role as a beacon of unity and resilience.

The event, held against the backdrop of the ongoing full-scale war, featured the unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp and coin, as well as tributes from government officials, media leaders, and cultural figures.

For generations, Ukrainian Radio has served as a vital source of truth and hope, connecting the nation and preserving its unique cultural identity amidst Russian President Vladimir Putin's relentless attempts to conquer the country.

The first Ukrainian radio program was broadcast on November 16, 1924, at 7 p.m. local time from Kharkiv, beginning with the now-iconic phrase: “Hello, hello, hello! Kharkiv speaking, Kharkiv speaking, Kharkiv speaking!”

This historic broadcast marked the inception of regular radio broadcasting in Ukraine, paving the way for the development of the country's radio and television industries.

Following the initial launch, a radio station was established in Kyiv in 1925, and by 1927, broadcasting had expanded to several regional centers across Ukraine.

In his speech at the centennial gala, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude to all radio, television, and communications workers, emphasizing Ukrainian Radio's crucial role in ensuring that trustworthy and accurate news reaches all Ukrainians, including those in the territories currently occupied by Russian forces.

“For people in the occupied territories, your information provides hope and moral support. This is information for Ukrainian soldiers on the front line. It means they have reliable Ukrainian news. Ukrainian Radio has a heroic and historic past and an equally beautiful future. Therefore, I wish you professional achievements and development and, of course, our common victory,” Mr. Shmyhal said.

“The start of broadcasting 100 years ago put Ukraine among the first countries to launch regular radio broadcasting on its territory. Ukrainian Radio is a symbol of the resilience of our culture, and it’s a voice that transcends borders and epochs. It has become a companion and a driving force for many generations of Ukrainians, informing people about our lives and struggles and announcing every victory,” said Mykola Tochytskyi, Ukraine's minister of culture and strategic communications.

To mark the milestone, Oleksiy Shaban, deputy governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, presented a commemorative coin during the gala celebration.

The coin's front depicts the state emblem of Ukraine from which radio waves are spreading with the words “Kyiv is speaking” inscribed on them.

“It means that Kyiv, as the historical and modern center of Ukraine, is engraved on this coin,” Mr. Shaban said.

On the reverse of the coin, in addition to a flower that also symbolizes radio waves, is the year of the birth of Ukrainian Radio – 1924.

According to Mr. Shaban, Ukrainian Radio has gone through different periods in its history, but its radio programs were always broadcast in Ukrainian.

“Today, in the face of Russian aggression, Ukrainian Radio is an important component of informing the public, reaching every corner of our country, helping to defend national identity and counteract enemy propaganda,” Mr. Shaban said.

The country's national postal service also issued a special stamp – “100 Years of Ukrainian Radio” – in honor of the milestone.

Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smilyanskyi stressed the importance that Ukrainian Radio broadcasts play throughout the country, particularly in regions that sit along or near the front lines of the full-scale war.

“It is especially pleasant when you are traveling near the frontline, where mostly enemy radio stations operate, but you hear Ukrainian Radio. And this is essentially a fight for the audience,” he said.

Ukrposhta issued some 280,000 stamps to mark the anniversary of Ukrainian Radio, Mr. Smilyanskyi said. The design of the stamp was done by artist Volodymyr Taran.

“One hundred years ago, Ukrainian Radio started broadcasting, and today it is one of the most important assets of public broadcasting. We are really proud of what people do. The most important thing now is that the trust in Ukrainian Radio is growing, and the new century of Ukrainian Radio, as well as the new century of Ukrainian history, will be remarkable,” said Mykola Chernotytskyi, chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine.

The gala continued with a concert featuring the Academic Symphony Orchestra of Ukrainian Radio, the Academic Choir of Ukrainian Radio, and the Boys and Young Men's Choir of the National Music Academy of Ukraine.

On the Day of Radio, Television and Communications Workers, a day celebrated every year in Ukraine on November 16, which was also the anniversary of the first Ukrainian Radio broadcast, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the country’s media and communications workers.