The semifinals of the annual student competition “The University has a talent – 2026” were held at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. Students from various faculties and institutes showcased their talents in singing, dance, visual arts, playing musical instruments, acting, and other creative disciplines.

This year, the competition brought together participants with diverse creative backgrounds. Ukrainian folk songs and contemporary compositions were performed on stage; students presented dance routines, played the piano, recited poetry, and showcased their original creative works. Each performance provided an opportunity to tell their own story through art and share what inspires them.

The performances were judged by a professional jury, which included: actress and comedian Iryna Soponaru, Honored Artist of Ukraine Volodymyr Fysiuk, vocalist of the band “Hutsul Calypso” Andriy Rudyk, Bogdana Zaitseva-Cheban, soloist of the Chernivtsi Regional Philharmonic, Ivan Velychko, founder of MoveON Dance Studio; director Marta Shumilova-Lisiakova, folk dance instructor Bogdan Dudka, and Olena Kalynchuk, head of the MTA’s content marketing department.

Based on the jury’s decision, 23 participants and creative groups advanced to the competition final:

• Oleksandr Spindiak - Faculty of Physical Education, Sports, and Rehabilitation;

• Diana Fydyshena - Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Kateryna Pinteskul - Faculty of History, Political Science, and International Relations;

• Vira Bardakova – Faculty of Economics;

• Lilia Sylka – Faculty of Philology;

• Anna Slobozhanska – Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Bozhena Zhuravska – Faculty of Foreign Languages;

• Daniil Kutulbia – Faculty of Law;

• Solomiia Titor – Faculty of Philology;

• Oleksandra Tovstiuk – Faculty of Philology;

• the “Art Construction” team – a group from the Faculty of Architecture, Construction, and Decorative and Applied Arts;

• Vasyl Havryliuk – Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Olga Bonar – Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Anastasia Atamas – Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Oleksandra Cherniavska and Ivan Minkovskyi – Institute of Biology, Chemistry and Bioresources;

• Daria Priemska – Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Kateryna Kuzhyk – Institute of Physical, Technical, and Computer Sciences;

• Nazarii Ovcharuk – Faculty of Foreign Languages;

• Oleksandra Dopira – Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Social Work;

• Anastasia Krushnitska - Faculty of Philology;

• Vasyl Raduliak - Institute of Physical, Technical, and Computer Sciences;

• Vladyslava Dubey - Faculty of Law;

• Mariia Sichkar - Faculty of Law.

The competition also had a charitable purpose. Participants helped raise funds for a Bluetti charging station for the 92nd Separate Anti-Tank Battalion and for Yuriy Sorokatyi, a servicemember and employee of Chernivtsi National University. Participation in the semifinals required a charitable donation of at least 100 hryvnias. The contest was organized by the Center for Culture and Leisure and the Department of Student Affairs and Liberal Arts Education at Chernivtsi National University.

Next up is the final, where participants will once again have the chance to amaze the audience and the judges with their talents and compete for the title of winner of “The University’s Got Talent – 2026.”