Petro Poroshenko: “Ostroh Academy is One of the Driving Forces of Our Renewed Ukraine’s Advance”

October 27, 2016

On 27 October, the president of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko visited the National University of Ostroh Academy. He unveiled the newly constructed wing of Ostroh Academy building in downtown Ostroh as well as the triumphal arch dedicated to the Ostroh Bible. Mr Poroshenko also attended the festivities within the framework of celebration of 440th anniversary of Ostroh Academy foundation.

«Here, at Ostroh Academy I feel particularly exalted. Once a team of enthusiasts who believed in revival of Ostroh Academy gathered here. Nowadays, not only is Ostroh Academy the symbol of Ukraine, but it is also the world-renowned university. One of the driving forces of our renewed European Ukraine’s advance is Ostroh Academy. Its aura and the spirit of the princes of Ostroh, which can be sensed here, form Ukrainian patriotism. It seems to me that the future president of Ukraine who has acquired such values as high spirituality, morality, patriotism, professionalism and decency is present here in this hall today»,

It is to be recalled that this year the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the resolution regarding the celebration of 440th anniversary of the foundation of Ostroh Slavic, Greek and Latin Academy, the first institution of higher education of Ukraine and Eastern Europe, at state level.

The President unveiled the new building of Ostroh Academy, which is situated in the central square of the town, combines the features of the 16th century and modern architecture. It is unique in terms of architectural styles in Ukraine. Therefore, without a doubt this masterpiece will become the glory of the city and a famous place of interest. The first section will include research laboratories and offices for professors who are conducting studies with their students.

Moreover, the tradition of triumphal arch building has been revived in Ostroh Academy. The arch of this kind was constructed at the entrance to the university on the occasion of celebration of 440th anniversary of Ostroh Academy. The arch is dedicated to the sacred book, the Ostroh Bible (1581). The monument resembles the title page of the Bible. The portraits of the people who published the book are depicted on the side steles, which were performed by a famous artist Yurii Nikitin. As the rector of Ostroh Academy Ihor Pasichnyk says, this architectural complex symbolizes the triumph of morality, spirituality and intellect that are the prioritized values of Ostroh Academy.

«I am very pleased to meet some professors that are so young that they could be confused with the students.We have made a deal that from this point on we will do our utmost to make the doors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs open for the international relations students, and to make the doors of official institutions and Ukrainian authority open for the humanities students. Ostroh Academy is the quality mark»,