Reflections of Resilience: Karazin University Presents an Album about Life During the War

Karazin University hosted the presentation of a unique publication — the album “Karazin University: Reflections of the Rector in Times of War”, dedicated to the life of the university community amid the full-scale war. The presentation took place as part of the celebration of the 220th anniversary of the university’s founding.

The album is more than a chronicle of events. It is a testament to the resilience, strength of spirit, and humanity of the Karazin community during the most challenging times. The publication honors the memory of Karazin members who lost their lives due to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, while also offering reflections on challenges and achievements, the preservation and development of education and science, and the university’s dedication to the future.

“This album is not just about dates and events. It is about our values, our strength, our resilience,” said University Rector Tetyana Kaganovska. “I wanted to capture our experience here — painful, difficult, but deeply human. I thank each and every one of you for continuing to live and grow with Karazin.”

Contributors to the project included publisher Oleksandr Savchuk, designer Oleksii Chekal, photographers Viktoriia Yakymenko and Mykhailo Protsenko, and translator Olha Pieshkova. During the presentation, they shared their insights and emotions from working on the album.

Oleksandr Savchuk, who completed his PhD studies at Karazin University in 2010, emphasized his lasting connection to the university. For him, it was crucial to create something high-quality, modern, and meaningful.

Photographers Viktoriia and Mykhailo expressed that being co-authors of this chronicle was a great responsibility. They didn’t just capture moments — they lived through them alongside the university community.

Designer Oleksii Chekal spoke about the design process and the creation of a custom typeface for the album. The design was inspired by the legacy of Vasyl Krychevsky, a renowned Ukrainian artist, which added deep symbolism to the work. The album includes photographs, essays, and reflections that reveal the inner world of the university during times of trial. It has been published in both Ukrainian and English.

Translator Olha Pieshkova shared that working on the English version was a form of therapy for her:

“When you read the text as a whole, in chronological order, it feels like psychoanalysis. You need to understand what the author was feeling while writing. Translation is also a way of emotionally processing those experiences.”

The album has already become an important artifact of memory and a vision of the future — telling the story of how the university community, despite pain and loss, continues to fulfill its mission at the highest level.