For Whom The Bell Tolls

By Jing Li

Image: Project Ollie’s Director of Operations, Liliia Galperina with students her 5th grade homeroom class, September 2012

For decades, Ukrainian students have taken part in a traditional welcoming ceremony on the first day of school: the “first bell” which is also known as the “Day of Knowledge”. This ceremony takes place on the first of September, which signals that school is open for the new academic year.

On the first day of the school year, Ukrainian students gathered in their school’s main courtyard, lining up by their homeroom class. Black and white uniforms are typical in all Ukrainian schools. Girls would proudly add big white ribbons in their hair; boys would arrive decked out in three-piece suits and ties.

Many students would also bring bouquets of flowers as gifts for their teachers. If you look closely at the above photo, you’ll notice an interesting local cultural moment: most of the students are carrying their flowers by the stems with the buds closer to the ground. This is the exact opposite of how many people carry bouquets of flowers in the US, where we tend to hold them with the buds facing up closer to the sky!

Traditions varied slightly, school by school, but back in the autumn of 2012, while I was an English teacher in Shechenkove, that first-bell ceremony warmed my heart. Here’s what I saw as I looked out on the gathering of students and teachers: The oldest student in the school hoisted the youngest student on his shoulder and carried her around the courtyard, as she rang a bell by hand. The message was clear: School was now open for the year!

First bell gathering at Lyceum, 2012.

First bell ceremony at Lyceum, September 2012.

A decade later, the bells ring for other reasons in Shevchenkove.

In the fall 2022, the village of Shechenkove sustained multiple aerial attacks from Russian bombers. Several people in the village were wounded and all lost access to electricity, gas and the Internet. The school, Lyceum No. 2, was also damaged by rockets. According to the Director of the Lyceum, only half of the school remained standing. The main entrance to the Lyceum was badly damaged and the senior building where middle and high school classes had been held, had been almost completely destroyed. Thankfully, no students or teachers were hurt in the attack– but everyone, from the director, to the teachers and of course, the students were shocked and terrified by the threat of future attacks.

Now this September, how will Ukrainian students and teachers begin the new school year? Some may return to class, if their schools are deemed safe. Many Shevchenkove students will continue their studies remotely online and join virtual lessons from other locations within Kharkiv region or elsewhere in Ukraine. All will be dreaming of a time when bell ringing signals peace.

Lyceum after sustaining damage from the Russian attacks, November 2022.

Main entrance to the Lyceum after damage in Russian attacks, November 2022.