Scotland fans are being urged to sing the Ukrainian anthem in a show of solidarity at Hampden Park tomorrow night.
Steve Clarke's side host Ukraine in their postponed World Cup play-off semi-final, with the winner playing Wales in a play-off final on Sunday in Cardiff.
Ahead of the tie, language-learning website and mobile app Duolingo is organising for fans of both teams to sing the Ukrainian national anthem at the game, and have Scotland show the world the two countries are united.
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Fans from the Scottish Football Supporters Association will be joined by opera singer Vasyl Savenko, and duo Julia Kogut-Kalynyuk and Kateryna Trachuk, plus Glasgow’s ‘Voice of the Town’ choir, to sing “Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy” on the steps at Hampden Park in what is sure to be a visually and audibly striking moment that unites both nations through language.
Colin Watkins, UK Country Manager at Duolingo, said: “Football unites people, with The World Cup the pinnacle for this, but we all know this match carries even more significance, and the eyes of the world will be watching. We want all Scotland fans and all football fans to show their solidarity in song and show the world they are united with Ukraine through language.”
To ensure fans can sing the anthem correctly, Duolingo has created a phonetic version of the lyrics. These lyrics will be posted on @duolingouk in the lead up to the game and shared by clubs, fans and supporters groups to practise before the match.
They will also be available on flyers at Hampden Park for fans arriving for the match. The translations have been written with a native Ukrainian, and Duolingo’s localisation team, to ensure their correctness.
The hope is that every Scotland fan in Hampden Park shows the world their unity with Ukraine by standing up and singing the Ukrainian anthem as passionately as they do.
