An initiative has been launched in Ukraine to restore the historical name of a small coin, the shag, ShoTam reports. This is part of a large-scale educational campaign designed to promote Ukrainian historical symbols and restore a connection with our own past. The project was supported by famous Ukrainians, including Serhiy Zhadan, Viktor Yushchenko, Oleksandra Matviychuk and Ruslan Stefanchuk.
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The name shag has deep historical roots. A coin with this name was common back in the days of the Hetmanate and the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Lesya Ukrainka, Taras Shevchenko, and Ivan Kotliarevskyi mentioned it in their works. However, in 1919, the Soviet government abolished Ukrainian money and replaced it with kopecks, an element of the imperial monetary system.
The Postmen agency, which initiated the campaign, emphasises that the name of the coin can be changed at no additional cost, as it will be done along with the planned renewal of the money supply. The shag will coexist with the kopiika for some time, and then gradually replace it. The authors of the initiative call this process not only symbolic but also an important step towards cultural independence.
The idea is being promoted on an interactive website and through a series of activities, including a video by the MUR band, a quiz called ‘Learn Ukrainian’ in the Kyiv metro and on Ukrzaliznytsia trains. The project is supported by the Zagoriy Foundation and Megapolis+.
The Postmen also emphasise that, despite a widespread myth, the word shag has nothing to do with the Russian word ‘step’. It comes from the old Ukrainian word ‘сягати’ — to reach, to reach out.
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