Shevchenko Days at the University

10.3.2026

On March 9, the birthday of Taras Shevchenko – the namesake of our university – a significant event took place: an online lecture titled “The Fire Does Not Burn the Fierce” by Victoria Dmytrenko, Doctor of Philology and Professor of the Department of Literary Studies and Oriental Philology.

The event was dedicated to the 212th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s birth and the 105th anniversary of the founding of State Institution “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University”.

The event brought together over 200 participants, including faculty, staff, and students of our university, as well as guests who are sincere admirers of the poet’s work. Among them were professors and PhD students from Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, representatives of the Donetsk Regional Palace of Children and Youth Creativity, as well as teachers and students from schools in the Luhansk and Poltava regions, among others.

During the lecture, Victoria Dmytrenko shared lesser-known facts from Taras Shevchenko’s biography, revealing him not only as a canonical prophet but also as a unique and multifaceted individual. The professor discussed:

– the global presence of Taras Shevchenko and the worldwide geography of his monuments.

– the artistic dialogue and interpretations of the poet’s works by contemporary painters.

– the role of Shevchenko’s word as a powerful weapon and a source of strength for Ukrainians in the current war.

Olena Karaman, Rector of our University, addressed the participants, greeting them on the holiday. She emphasized that our Shevchenko family, much like the entire country, is going through challenging times as we fight daily for the right to be ourselves and to be a European nation. She reminded everyone of the famous words by Shevchenko featured on our institution’s coat of arms: “Учітесь, читайте, / І чужому научайтесь, / Й свого не цурайтесь”. It is these words that help us continue bringing the light of knowledge to Ukraine’s educational space and remain a leader among Ukrainian higher education institutions. The highlight of the meeting was its interactive format. Throughout the lecture, participants shared their own definitions of what Taras Shevchenko means to them in the chat. The final chord of the event was the creation of a “word cloud” that transformed into a portrait of the poet. Each participant received this unique image as a keepsake – a symbol that the image of the Kobzar is composed of the thoughts and feelings of each of us.

“Today, Shevchenko’s work is of fundamental importance to every Ukrainian, regardless of their location. Over the years, we don’t just reread his lines – we begin to understand them more deeply, finding in them the answers to modern challenges,” emphasized Victoria Dmytrenko.

We extend our gratitude to Victoria Dmytrenko and all participants for an insightful conversation that proved once again: Shevchenko’s word is a fire that tempers the spirit and unites generations.

Department of Literary Studies and Oriental Philology