Actress Irma Vitovskaya said that the Russian language among Ukrainian teenagers still remains a serious problem. In her opinion, the creation of a completely Ukrainian-language educational environment - from kindergartens to schools and clubs - can radically change the situation..

The artist also spoke sharply about those who continue to use the Russian language after everything that Ukrainians have experienced. During an interview with Elizaveta Tsaregradskaya for Suspilny, she compared this behavior with a person who is aware of the harm of drugs, but still uses them. Vitovskaya first admitted that she was annoyed by the Russian pop music that Ukrainian teenagers listen to. According to the actress, parents should explain to their children why in times of war it is important to abandon Russian cultural products.

" Because, it means that teenagers do not have enough communication with their parents at home to explain to them the cause-and-effect relationship, why this cannot be listened to,” she noted.

According to the actress, it is especially painful to watch this against the background of the death of Ukrainians from Russian missiles and at the front. She also emphasized that she considers the Russian language part of the problem that affects the future of the country. " They were killed by Russian missiles,” the actress shared her pain. – What does this have to do with language After all, it’s like a drug addict who quietly takes drugs, but tells everyone that drugs cause death.”.

According to Vitovskaya, if the Ukrainian language gradually loses its position among the younger generation, this could have serious consequences for the state, and the political and civil problem associated with the war with the Russian Federation will repeat itself: “Ukraine will not survive. Why? Because in the next generations, if the Ukrainian language disappears and only Russian remains, it will again become a single field"

At the same time, the actress told how exactly, in her opinion, the language situation can be changed. She believes that the entire educational space should become Ukrainian-language - not only during lessons, but also during breaks, in schoolyards, clubs and during staff interactions.

“We need to show political will - to recognize the entire educational environment as Ukrainian-speaking, starting with kindergartens and all educational clubs - and we are talking not only about teaching subjects in Ukrainian, but also about the environment into which a person finds himself when he leaves the gates. These are the streets, recess, all the staff, playgrounds where children walk, everything,” Vitovskaya said about the strategy.

The actress is convinced that this approach will not give an immediate effect, but will gradually change the language habits of new generations. According to her, children should from an early age be in an environment where the Ukrainian language is the natural language of communication not only in the classroom, but also in everyday life.

The actress also noted that she herself deliberately switched to the Ukrainian language after she became more interested in history. That is why she is convinced that a linguistic “turnaround” is possible, but this requires the joint efforts of teachers, parents and the state.