International Intellective Marathon “There is no Better Friend than Wisdom” (I. Franko ) Dedicated to the 440-th Anniversary of Ostroh Academy

April 12, 2016

International intellective marathon «There is no better friend than wisdom» (I. Franko) is a project of the National University of «Ostroh academy» that commemorates the 440th anniversary of the first higher educational institution in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Ostroh Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy. This year, according to the regulation of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine issued on February 2, 2016, № 971-VIII, this anniversary is celebrated on the national level.

To Write an Aphorism

From the 1-st of March to the 1-st of August 2016, there is a possibility for all to contribute by leaving for the descendants their own aphorism on the project web-site 440.oa.edu.ua. Each participant of the marathon can submit one adage that should not exceed 440 symbols. After the moderation, the aphorism is included to the list for voting. Aphorisms that include non-ethical expressions or induce religious, civil, or ethnic hostility will not be accepted.

The best 440 sayings with the most votes will be included in the list. The top-ranked 25 wisdom expressions will be selected out of 440 (number 25 symbolizes the anniversary of Ukrainian independence). The list of 440 aphorisms will be published as a book, and TOP-25 saying will be engraved on the Triumphal Arc of Ostroh Academy, which is going to be built in commemoration of the University’s anniversary in October.

Describing Ostroh Academy, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi wrote that it was famous in ХVІ-ХVІІ centuries as

«the first center of new education, new studentship, new spiritual life.»

«...as if a bright star enlightened the whole Ukraine ...when it was most needed. Herein its eternal glory rests!»,

The historical heritage of Ostroh Academy as a center of spiritual life and source of wisdom must as well be appreciated in the independent Ukraine.

Ihor Pasichnyk, the Rector of the National University of «Ostroh academy» himself took part in the marathon having written his own aphorism:

«Faith means that we believe in something we cannot see, but the reward for faith is a possibility to see what we believe in».

«Do you want to become a part of the history of Ostroh Academy? Then you should take part in the project. This marathon provides you with an ample opportunity to pass your intellectual legacy to the future generations. Thus, each person from our country has a chance to put ideas in order and write an expression that will be remembered for hundreds of years. The main thing is to realize that it does not matter who you are — a pupil or a student, a doctor or an engineer, an adolescent or an elderly person — everyone can come up with such words that will never be forgotten and will be passed on from generation to generation»,