On August 8, the Chernivtsi National University community celebrated the 191st anniversary of the birth of Yurii Fedkovych – an outstanding Ukrainian writer, publicist, and civic leader, and the patron of the university.

For generations, Fedkovych has been regarded as a symbol of Bukovyna’s spirit, national dignity, and cultural identity. His works, filled with patriotism and love for his homeland, reflect Ukrainians’ aspirations for freedom, education, and preservation of their language. Beyond literature, he actively defended the rights of ordinary people, supported schooling in the native tongue, and inspired social progress.

To honor his memory, a university delegation led by Rector Ruslan Biloskurskyi laid flowers at the monument to Fedkovych. The ceremony gathered numerous representatives of the academic community, residents of Chernivtsi, and admirers of the writer’s legacy.

The highlight of the commemoration was the awarding of the Yurii Fedkovych Prize, which recognizes not only literary and scholarly achievements but also dedication to values that resonate with Fedkovych’s own life and work.

This year’s laureates are: Yaryna Vyshpinska, Nataliia Filipchuk, Andrii Kholomeniuk, Volodymyr Vozniuk, Halyna Abram’iuk, Illia Strinadko, and Larysa Kurushchak.

Through this tradition, Chernivtsi National University continues to honor the legacy of its patron while inspiring new generations to follow his example of cultural commitment, civic responsibility, and intellectual pursuit.