Readers Reviews on V. Sukhomlynskyі’s Article “The Source of the Immortal Well”

Abstract

In the article the previously unpublished readers feedback letters on V. Sukhomlynskyi’s article “The Source of the Immortal Fountain” (1970) were made public and considered, and a historical and pedagogical analysis of a little-developed aspect of his pedagogical heritage was carried out – correspondence with a wide range of correspondents as a kind of reflection of public sentiments in the state sphere language policy in the USSR in the 60^s–70^s of the 20^th century.

Pedagogical works that vividly represent the views of the teacher on the importance of instilling love for the native language in schoolchildren are singled out, in particular “Word for Word” (1964), “The Word of the Native Language” (1965), “The Word and Thinking” (1965), “The Path to the Flowering garden” (1969), “The Source of the Immortal Well” (1970), etc. It was found that the publication of these articles had a resonance: the author received many feedback letters regarding issues and problems with teaching the Ukrainian language in secondary schools. The article “The Source of the Immortal Well” was indicative, for which he received no less than 20 letters from different addressees. It was revealed that the correspondents of V. Sukhomlynskyi were representatives of all professions, which testifies to the sensitivity and relevance of the “language” issue in Ukraine at that time. The article quotes and analyzes those letters that most fully reflect the problems raised by the teacher. The “geography” of the correspondence between the teacher and his correspondents was also studied and its coincidence and coherence with the tragic events experienced by modern Ukraine was traced. It was established that correspondence with a wide range of addressees contributed to a constant dialogue with the reader to receive feedback and monitor the relevance of the issues raised, their impact on the public. It was found out that the above-mentioned technique “letter – answer” became an effective tool for broadcasting V. Sukhomlynskyi’s important ideas and views on education and upbringing not directly, but indirectly, though, in modern language, “stakeholders”. The conclusion is made about the importance of such research approaches, which reveal “history from below”, provide an opportunity to comprehensively highlight the pedagogical ideas, experience, and personality of not only V. Sukhomlynskyi himself, but also of his correspondents. It was found that the epistolary heritage of the teacher is an integral part of his work, contains many original and valuable ideas, but remains understudied and needs further consideration and analysis.