- Thursday, March 13, 2025
Constantin Tomaszczuk was born in Chernivtsi to a family of Ukrainian-Romanian descent. 1857, he graduated from Chernivtsi Gymnasium and, in the same year, entered the Law Faculty of Lviv University, where he studied for four years. 1864, he officially received his doctorate in law. He worked in Semyhorod for five years and returned to Chernivtsi in 1870.
Constantin could take the bar exam in Hermannstadt (now Sibiu, Romania). After successfully passing the exams, he worked at the Higher Regional Court, where he proved to be a highly professional specialist. As a result, in 1870, he was appointed counsel to the regional court in Chernivtsi.
From 1871 until his death, for 18 years, Tomaszczuk was elected to the lower house of the Austrian parliament. As soon as the opportunity arose, after being elected to the parliament on 12 March 1872, Constantin Tomaszczuk initiated his long-held dream of founding a higher education institution, a university, in Chernivtsi. Passionately insisting that it was there that he was needed, the public figure brought his work to an end. And on 4 October 1875, he brought it to life. The University of Chernivtsi opened that day, and Tomaszczuk became its first rector.
During his tenure, he attracted the best teachers to teach at the university, opened new departments, and made the institution known throughout Europe.
He actively supported the development of the Ukrainian language and culture in the face of the political challenges of his time, understanding the importance of education for the formation of national consciousness, so he focused on educating young people and encouraging students to participate in scientific research and cultural events.
The life of the famous figure ended on 19 December 1889. Constantin Tomaszczuk was buried in Vienna.
He made a significant contribution to the development of higher education in the territory of modern Ukraine, and his work became the basis for the further development of the university and education in the region, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In 1897, a monument to Constantin Tomaszczuk was erected in the People's Garden (sculptor - Anton Brenek), which was later destroyed by the communist authorities.
4 October 2015, on the day of the 140th anniversary of the founding of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, the restored monument to the first rector of the university (sculptor Volodymyr Tsisaryk), member of the Austrian Parliament and the Regional Sejm, Honorary Citizen of Chernivtsi Constantin Tomaszczuk was unveiled. This event was attended by university teachers and students, distinguished guests, deputies, Honorary Citizens of Chernivtsi, representatives of local self-government, and concerned Chernivtsi residents. A ‘time capsule’ with a message to future generations was laid in the foundation of the pedestal. The monument was restored in the Taras Shevchenko Central Park of Culture and Recreation (in the former city park of Chernivtsi) at the site of its original installation in 1897.
On 13 March, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the monument to Constantin Tomaszczuk on the 185th anniversary of his birth.
The event was attended by the Rector of the University, Ruslan Biloskurskyi, Vice-Rector Iryna Osovska, Vice-Rector Dmytro Fedortsov, Chairman of the Trade Union of Teachers and Staff Vitalii Kindzerskyi, and Dean of the Law Faculty Vitalii Vdovichen.
The attendees honoured the memory of the outstanding scientist, whose name is inextricably linked with the history and formation of Chernivtsi University, and recalled his significant contribution to the development of education and science.
Honouring the memory of Constantin Tomaszczuk is a tribute to the history and traditions of the university, which preserves and multiplies the achievements of its founders.
