A Dialogue on the Hryvnia: NBU and LB.ua Launch Project with Yushchenko and Pyshnyi

Communicating the Story of Ukraine's Currency

According to НБУ: The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and the online publication LB.UA are launching a joint communications project about the hryvnia, timed to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's monetary reform. The first public event, a dialogue featuring NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi and Ukraine's third President, Viktor Yushchenko, is scheduled for February 26. This initiative is part of the broader communications campaign titled 'Hryvnia. More Than Money.'

Anniversary Campaign and Planned Events

The overarching campaign marks the 30th anniversary of the monetary reform and the 35th anniversary of the National Bank of Ukraine, both to be celebrated in 2026. The campaign's name is drawn from a collaborative exhibition and book created by the NBU and the Ukrainian House. The project partner is UGB Ukrgasbank. A series of thematic public events are planned throughout the year, with outcomes to be published in a dedicated LB.UA special project.

The inaugural event on February 26 at the National Bank will focus on the role of the national currency as a pillar of the country's sovereignty and resilience. Military veterans and students will participate, and an online broadcast will be available. This date holds additional significance as it also marks four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Viktor Yushchenko, who headed the NBU when the hryvnia was introduced in 1996, will join Andriy Pyshnyi to discuss the currency's history, its importance to Ukrainian statehood, practical aspects of monetary policy, and maintaining public trust in the hryvnia.

NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi noted: 'We began this extensive public conversation about the hryvnia last year with an exhibition-expedition created together with the Ukrainian House team. The exhibition's success inspired our teams to take the next step-creating a book to give the exposition a second life in print. In parallel, the National Bank has been running an educational campaign to revive the uniquely Ukrainian name for the small coin-the 'shah.''

Launching this communications project represents a significant moment in Ukraine's history, highlighting the national currency's importance and its role in shaping the country's sovereignty. Given that February 26 also serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing war, the event provides a crucial context to discuss the hryvnia's value amid contemporary challenges. This series of public engagements aims to foster greater public understanding of the currency's history and its vital role in Ukraine's present and future.