Opening of the Exhibition “Polonica of Kharkiv University: Poles in the University’s History and Memory” in Lublin, Poland

On 19–20 October 2026, a delegation of lecturers from the School of History, headed by Dean Serhii Kushnariov, paid a working visit to Lublin, Poland. The visit was dedicated to the opening of the exhibition “Polonica of Kharkiv University: Poles in the University’s History and Memory”, prepared in cooperation with the Museum of the Eastern Territories of the Former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth under the honorary patronage of the President of Lublin.

The exhibition was curated by Viktoriia Ivashchenko and Serhii Posokhov. Its twelve display panels feature a variety of materials, including photographs, copies of documents and portraits, as well as information about specific historical events, illustrating the role of Poles in the development of Kharkiv University and the city. Particular attention is given to preserving, in present-day Kharkiv, the memory of prominent Poles whose lives and legacies are connected with the city and the University.

The official opening took place on 20 October at Lithuanian Square in the centre of Lublin, attended by distinguished representatives of the city authorities, museums, universities and the public. Roman Shepeliak, Consul General of Ukraine in Lublin, also attended the event.

Immediately before the opening, the Kharkiv delegation met with Krzysztof Żuk, President of Lublin; Katarzyna Mieczkowska, PhD habil., Director of the National Museum in Lublin; and Marcin Gapski, PhD, Deputy Director of the same museum. During the visit, the Kharkiv scholars also met with Piotr Bednarczyk, Professor and Director of the Institute of History at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, and Professor Dariusz Kupisz. They discussed the results of the collaboration between historians at the two universities and plans for future cooperation.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Polish colleagues for their interest in the history of our University and look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation.

The exhibition will be open to visitors until 1 March 2027.