Typeface Abetka (Alphabet) for Ukrainian Identity

The Educational Projector Foundation has launched a cultural and educational website called Typeface Alphabet for Ukrainian Identity (Ukrainian title: Шрифтова абетка української ідентичності) The primary goal of this bilingual project is to promote contemporary fonts created by Ukrainian designers and to educate people about the symbols of Ukrainian statehood.

The Revolution of Dignity (2013–2014) brought significant changes to various industries in Ukraine, including type design. Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Ukrainians have become even more determined to distance themselves from everything Russian, including content, products, and even fonts. This decision is driven by the fact that taxes generated from the sale of Russian products contribute to the war against Ukraine. The Projector Foundation team has initiated a cultural project aimed at helping Ukrainians discover alternatives to Russian typefaces and introducing the global community to the vibrant Ukrainian typeface industry. Many Ukrainian fonts also include Latin versions, making them accessible for designers worldwide as alternatives to Russian fonts.

The Typeface Alphabet project showcases 33 modern Ukrainian typefaces, including typefaces available from Rentafont, such as Mars Type, Palitura, Rock Star and Volja. The Abetka website shows each font representing a single unique symbol. The team has designed a dedicated page for each letter using one of the latest Ukrainian typefaces. Users can explore profiles of the typeface creators along with links for licensed use.

This project has been made possible with the support of ZMIN, a private Ukrainian Foundation that provides resources to its partners through grants, scholarships, and collaborative projects. MacPaw, a Ukrainian software company, has become the project’s main partner. The Alphabet typography features headlines set in Nastup, subheaders set in Mariupol Strong and body text is rendered in Fixel by MacPaw, a new versatile typeface developed in collaboration with AlfaBravo design studio and foundry. The project’s design was created by Obys Studio.

In addition to showcasing the origin stories of each typeface, Abetka includes 33 narratives about significant events, figures, symbols, and signs that have played crucial roles in Ukraine’s journey towards independence restoration in 1991 and its ongoing struggle for sovereignty. These stories highlight individuals like Ivan Franko, who was among the first in Ukrainian literature to advocate for the unity of the Ukrainian state, and Maria Prymachenko, whose imaginative artistic world made a significant impact on 20th-century art. The project’s authors delve into the concept of “Volia” as an intrinsic characteristic of every Ukrainian, motivating them to strive for victory.