#Lesyaukrayinka

The annual celebration program is new and exclusive every year – although one may wonder what new can be thought of in this regard. But the university derives its name after Lesia Ukrainka, a famous Volynian, and with this fact comes not only an obligation, but also an inspiration. Larysa Kosach, who later would be known as Lesia Ukrainka, was born 145 years ago. The anniversary of the university’s patroness is being celebrated with a great program, which began on Monday. This includes: a singing competition of Lesia Ukrainka’s poems among students of the Stage Singing department; an all-university competition of poetry readers entitled “Eternal glory to you, Ukrainka!”; an exhibition dedicated to the poet; a tour for the students to Kosach museum-estate in Kolodiazhne; the discussion “Women in Ukrainian culture of the late 19th – early 20th century. The women of Kosach family”; a theatrical performance based on poems and dramatic works of Lesia Ukrainka named “The Winged Word Is My Arrow.” The Day turned to a young and energetic vice-rector of the university for a further commentary on the unique events.

Anna LEVCHUK, vice-rector for scholarly-pedagogical activities, European integration, and student affairs, Lesia Ukrainka Eastern European National University:

“We are very proud that our university is named after Lesia Ukrainka. Incidentally, Eastern European National University is the only university in Ukraine to bear a woman’s name. Lesia Ukrainka is a kind of worldwide brand for the university, the region, and the country. Her example is worthy of following, her life is full of interesting facts and inspiring stories, her art is an inexhaustible source of beauty and wealth of Volynian magic. In the past few years every student, regardless of specialization, has studied the course ‘Phenomenon of Lesia Ukrainka,’ brought by the initiative of Professor Ihor Kotsan, rector of our university. Our teachers have prepared this course in an extremely high quality; it is informative and instructive at the same time. Geography students are more told about the travels of Lesia Ukrainka, political scientists – about her political activity and civic position, lawyers – about the Kosach family members, most of whom have worked and are working as lawyers. This approach arouses interest in the poet’s personality and helps to understand the scope of her genius.

Illustration from the website facebook.com

“Therefore, in preparing the program for the jubilee week to mark the 145th birth anniversary of Lesia Ukrainka, we strived to make it diverse. In particular, the university museum of Lesia Ukrainka under the leadership of Tetiana Danyliuk-Tereshchuk has prepared unique exhibitions: ‘Lesia Ukrainka on political advertisement and posters’ and ‘Lesia Ukrainka in languages of the world.’ Students have realized another interesting and modern project, as they consider Lesia Ukrainka an extremely modern and contemporary woman, who got ahead of her time for at least a century. The project is the photo exhibition named #Lesyaukrayinka. It presents the photographs of the Ukrainian writer in the design of an Instagram account. All images are stylized accordingly and the location and years are marked by hashtags.

“This year we also hold a competition of student works ‘Best picture portrait of Lesia Ukrainka.’ The winners will contribute to the development of branded products of the University. My personal highlight of the celebration program is the discussion ‘Women in Ukrainian culture. The women of Kosach family’ to be held to celebrate the 145th anniversary of Lesia Ukrainka. Among the issues raised for the discussion are the following: the women’s movement in Ukraine, its history and modernity; women in cultural and educational space of Ukraine and their role in the consolidation of national identity; women of Kosach family as an intellectual mark of their age: Olena Pchilka, Olena Kosach (Teslenko-Prykhodko), Oleksandra Kosach, Lesia Ukrainka, Olha Kosach-Kryvyniuk, Hrytsko Hryhorenko (Oleksandra Sudovshchykova-Kosach), Izydora Kosach-Borysova; the new concepts and approaches to understanding national cultural experiences: Lina Kostenko, Oksana Zabuzhko, Solomia Pavlychko, Nila Zborovska, Vira Aheieva, Tamara Hundorova, et al. The discussion will be attended by academicians, writers, journalists, actors, public figures, and students. However, we do not abandon the events traditional for our university – the poetry readers’ competition, the excursions to Kolodiazhne, the theatrical performances. With the support of local and regional authorities we are planning to reissue the translations of Lesia Ukrainka’s works and preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our patroness.”