At the end of March, Pechersk School International (PSI Kyiv) celebrated Literacy Week – a vibrant community-wide initiative designed to promote a love of reading and storytelling across all age groups. The week blended creativity, collaboration, and inspiration, engaging both Primary and Secondary students in meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Primary School: Bringing Books to Life

Throughout the week, Primary students explored the joy of reading through a range of playful and purposeful activities:

• Author Workshop with Mo O’Hara: Students met American author Mo O’Hara and took part in a graphic novel workshop, where they learned how to create characters and stories visually – an exciting blend of art and literacy.
• Dress-Up Days & Book Swap: Children expressed their literary favourites through themed dress-up days and took part in a Book Swap, exchanging well-loved books and discovering new ones in the process.
• Parent Read-Alouds: Families joined library sessions, reading aloud and strengthening the reading culture beyond the classroom.
• Mystery Reader Contest & Final Assembly: The week ended on a high note with performances, reflections, and a celebration of what students had explored and enjoyed. The surprise element of mystery readers added an extra spark throughout the week.

These experiences helped nurture students’ confidence as readers and reminded them that stories are meant to be shared.

Secondary School: Live Encounters with Storytellers

In Secondary, where there are no regular library lessons, the approach was different – focused on meaningful live encounters with writers and creatives to inspire students through direct interaction.

Professional Authors, Personal Impact

• Storytelling Through History and Place: Local historian and writer Kyrylo Stepanets gave a captivating talk on the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, sharing stories, photographs, and insights from his book Interesting Chornobyl. His engaging style sparked genuine curiosity and a stream of student questions.
• Creating Comics and Horror Fiction: Comic book artist and editor Taras Frolov ran hands-on workshops across multiple grade levels. Younger students explored comic book creation, while older students tackled horror fiction writing. In both sessions, students completed original pieces, guided through character development, plot design, and creative illustration.
• Fantasy Writing with Halyna Tkachuk: Acclaimed poet and children’s author Halyna Tkachuk led an imaginative fantasy writing session for middle years students. With her warmth and enthusiasm, she helped even the shyest writers find their voice. Each student had the opportunity to share their work aloud and receive encouraging, personalised feedback.

Reading, Creativity, and Resilience

Organising live events during a time of war is not without its challenges. Air alerts, last-minute changes, and uncertain logistics can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Yet, at PSI, we believe these moments of inspiration are worth every effort.

“These experiences may only last an hour – but the impact on our students’ confidence, curiosity, and creativity lasts far longer.”

Alongside author visits, the week also included a book fair, writing contests, and classroom-based activities that celebrated storytelling in all its forms.

The Power of Stories

Literacy Week at PSI was more than just a themed event – it was a celebration of imagination, communication, and community. Whether through comics, fantasy tales, local history, or shared read-alouds, students experienced firsthand the power of stories to connect, uplift, and empower.

As a school committed to international-mindedness and student agency, PSI continues to seek out opportunities for learners to engage with the world through language and literature. Literacy Week reminded us all that books are not just pages – they are doorways.