Behind the Scenes of Ukraine’s Main Stage: Nominees of the Second National Forum for Talented Youth Visit the Ivan Franko Theatre
Nominees in the “Power of the Word” category of the Second National Forum for Talented Youth were the first to receive their special gift from the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports. They took part in an exclusive visit to the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre. The program combined a behind-the-scenes tour with a viewing of “The Servant of Two Masters” from the central box.
The Fund of the President of Ukraine has launched a series of professional visits and educational experiences for the 56 laureates of the 2026 National Forum for Talented Youth. The initiative aims to showcase opportunities for personal and professional development within Ukraine by engaging young people with cultural, scientific, and governmental institutions, as well as real professional environments and peer exchange.
The theatre visit marked the first stage of this program. Participants were welcomed in the square in front of the theatre by Yevhen Nyshchuk, General Director and Artistic Director of the theatre. From there, they began their introduction to the theatre’s history and its role in shaping Ukrainian identity.
The group was then guided by Natalia Ponomarenko, Head of the Literary and Dramatic Department. Students explored areas rarely accessible to the public, including a unique natural spring flowing beneath the theatre building, dressing rooms, and costume workshops. Just minutes before the performance, participants stepped onto the main stage to experience the auditorium from the actors’ perspective. The visit concluded with a performance of “The Servant of Two Masters” viewed from the central box.
The “Power of the Word” group included top-performing students in Ukrainian language, literature, and philology, as well as perfect scorers in the national test (NMT): Anna Zhyrytska, Meriem Mambetova, Sofiia Sus, Daria Nechepaieva, Solomiia Lytvyn, and Andrii Overchuk. They were joined by Ivan Plieskov, a chemistry student and silver medalist of the European Olympiad. This interdisciplinary composition reflects the Fund’s vision: culture is the foundation for development across all professional fields.
For the Fund of the President of Ukraine, such initiatives carry particular significance. They demonstrate that state support goes beyond formal recognition of achievements – it provides access to environments, people, and experiences that shape a strong and modern country. In the case of the “Power of the Word” nomination, the theatre became a space where language, culture, historical memory, and contemporary art converge.
Throughout 2026, the Fund will continue its program of experiential “gifts” for Forum nominees. Planned activities include visits to leading universities, excursions to national institutions, a trip to the “White Elephant” Observatory in the Carpathians, training sessions with prominent athletes, and a formal dinner at the historic palace in Baturyn.
The Fund views such initiatives as part of a broader strategy to preserve and develop Ukraine’s human capital. When talented young people see strong institutions, real opportunities, and genuine recognition, they are more likely to envision their future—studying, working, creating, and leading—within Ukraine.
Background
The Second National Forum for Talented Youth took place on January 23, 2026, in Kyiv, bringing together more than 600 participants, including winners of international and national Olympiads, participants of WRO 2025, top NMT scorers, youth Olympic medalists, and young researchers. During the Forum, Yevhen Nyshchuk invited the “Power of the Word” laureates to this exclusive theatre visit.
