Karazin University Honors Laureates of the Eduard Zub Scholarship

Karazin University held a solemn ceremony dedicated to the awarding of the Eduard Zub Scholarship — established in memory of the historian, publicist, university alumnus, researcher of Kharkiv’s past, and serviceman who volunteered to defend Ukraine in 2022 and has since been considered missing in action.
The event became a space of remembrance, gratitude, and inspiration for new generations of historians to continue his work.

The Eduard Zub Scholarship was established by the historian’s family, the Second Interregional Department of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, and the Alchevsky – Beketov Family Charitable Foundation.

Opening of the Ceremony

The ceremony began with the performance of the National Anthem of Ukraine and a moment of silence in memory of all who gave their lives for independence.
Eduard Zub’s mother, Ms. Oleksandra, addressed the audience, expressing her gratitude to the applicants, organizers, and everyone who supports her son’s intellectual legacy.

Oleksandr Alfiorov, Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, emphasized the uniqueness of Eduard as a “free historian,” a scholar unafraid to engage with the complex pages of Kharkiv’s history and speak about them honestly and openly.

Anatolii Babichev, Vice-Rector of Karazin University, noted that the university is proud of its alumnus — his courage to speak the truth, his love for Kharkiv and Ukraine, and his integrity continue to inspire the Karazin community.

Historian, founder of the Historical Truth portal, and serviceman Vakhtang Kipiani shared heartfelt memories of working with Eduard and his principled approach to research. He highlighted that Eduard Zub was a historian unafraid to “breathe the dust of old newspapers,” restoring forgotten facts and names to public memory.

2025 Scholarship Laureates

This year, nine applications were submitted to the competition, seven of which were admitted to participation.
Natalia Walter, Secretary of the Competition Commission, announced the 2025 scholarship laureates:

• Dmytro Derkach — Master’s student at NaUKMA, researcher of the Holodomor–genocide history, and popularizer of history on TikTok and YouTube

• Yuliia Yeremenko — PhD student at Karazin University, researcher of Ukrainian national communism of the 1920s, preparing a publication and open lecture-discussion

• Polina Postavka — 10th-grade student from the Kharkiv region, a young local historian, recipient of a special distinction and award

• Andrii Kolesnyk — Master of History at NaUKMA and Plast member, also awarded a special prize

Acknowledgments and Atmosphere of the Event

During the ceremony, letters of appreciation were presented to members of the Organizing and Competition Committees, event partners, and all those who contributed to the development of the scholarship initiative.
The atmosphere was enriched by a performance from Volodymyr Kozlov, Honored Artist of Ukraine.

A Living Legacy

The Eduard Zub Scholarship serves as a bridge between family, friends, colleagues, and new generations of researchers. It is a reminder that truth requires courage, and memory lives on in books, research, the voices of young historians — and in the steadfast hope for the return of every person listed as missing in action.