Feast of courage and spiritual strength

13.10.2017

The Day of the Defender of Ukraine was solemnly celebrated at Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University.  

The history of the Ukrainian state is inextricably linked with traditional holidays, which have become the basis for spiritual unity and strength of our people. In the autumn, once again, the student fraternity of the University celebrates three majestic holidays: the Defender of Ukraine Day, the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks and the Cover of the Holy Virgin.

This year, the celebration began with a fair, in which students and teachers from the structural sub divisions of University took part. Young people, carefully prepared, invited to the table and showed hospitality and benevolence. Everyone had the opportunity to communicate with friends, share their impressions and taste delicious dishes.

The continuation of the holiday was the dedication of students to the Ukrainian Cossacks. The event was attended by servicemen of the special regiment and the delegation of the Academy of Cossacks of the Luhansk region. According to the centuries-old folk traditions, the honorary guests were given a festive loaf as a symbol of respect, holiness and peace.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Council of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, the people’s deputy of Ukraine Vitalii S. Kurylo and the Rector Serhii V. Savchenko addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. They congratulated our defenders, remembered the history of the Ukrainian Cossacks and noted that the unity of the army and the people is the key to a common victory.

Honoring the feat of Ukrainian servicemen, D.V. Krivobok, A.N. Gablyuk and A.P. Swider were awarded for their significant contribution to the defense of our country and the patriotic education of students in the Luhansk region.  

The culmination of the holiday was the ritual of dedicating students to the Cossacks and taking the oath. The Supreme Ataman of the Academy of the Cossacks, the Field Hetman in the ATO zone V.N. Tkachenko addressed the all those present. He spoke about the traditions of the Cossacks and called for unity for the development of the country. Also Viktor Mykolayovych presented honorable awards to the people’s deputy of Ukraine Vitalii Kurylo, the Rector of the University Serhii Savchenko, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work Oleksandr Babichev and the Director of the Educational and Research Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology Olena Karaman.

At last, there was a solemn moment. The youth proclaimed the oath and vowed to be loyal to the state and the Ukrainian people. The creative and freedom-loving spirit of our ancestors united students and became the personification of the national strength.

As a sign of great respect for the defenders, honoring their heroism and victories, LTSNU students gave the military men from the Khmelnytsky region a towel and an embroidery – a piece of the long-suffering land of Eastern Ukraine. On the eve of the Day of the Defender of Ukraine, young people and teachers of our University prepared gifts, which were solemnly presented to the servicemen with the wish of unbending will in overcoming difficulties, reliable family rear and good health.

Continuation of the holiday was a concert program performed by servicemen of the nineteenth missile brigade of the Khmelnytsky garrison and workers of the fifteenth garrison culture house. The military played the musical instruments and sang songs. The festive day was ended with creative performances of students of our University, which aroused delight among all those present.

Oleg Chernysh, Press Center of LTSNU