February University of Galway marks fourth anniversary of invasion of Ukraine

Public events held on themes of remembrance, culture and debate 

University of Galway has marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a series of public events on campus bringing together remembrance, film, literature, art and political reflection.

The special anniversary programme was organised as part of the University’s involvement in the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, an international initiative coordinated by the office of the President of Ukraine.

The events took place on Monday February 23^rd and Tuesday February 24^th, opening with a special screening of the Sundance Film Festival award winning documentary 2000 Meters to Andriivka. 

The programme also saw the unveiling of the Ukraine Shelf, a dedicated collection of Ukrainian literature and scholarship in the University of Galway Library. 

Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Becky Whay, said: “Our anniversary programme reflects University of Galway’s commitment to global citizenship and responsibilities as a public university, examining the human, cultural and environmental costs of the war, and the role of memory, language and creativity in resisting erasure.” 

Associate Professor Tom Felle, who leads University of Galway’s involvement in the Coalition, said: “University of Galway is one of only two Irish universities in the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, a network of globally recognised institutions advancing teaching, research and public engagement on Ukraine. Our events mark four years on since the full-scale invasion by Russia and demonstrate our commitment to deepening ties with Ukraine at an academic and community level.” 

Full details of the anniversary programme:

• Monday February 23^rd at 5.30pm: A special screening of 2000 Meters to Andriivka THB-G011 (Hardiman Research Building) followed by a discussion. 
• Tuesday February 24^th at 11.30am: Service of Hope With Ukraine in the Chapel of St Columbanus, led jointly by Fr Ben Hughes in English and Fr Dmytro Hutnyk in Ukrainian. 
• Following that, at midday, Words That Remain will feature readings from contemporary Ukrainian poets and writers writing during the war. 
• Tuesday February 24^th at 12:45pm: Launch of the University’s Ukraine Shelf, a dedicated collection of Ukrainian literature and scholarship in the University of Galway Library.  
• Following that, in THB-G011 (Hardiman Research Building), a panel discussion Resilient Ukraine: Land, Voices and Art will examine how Ukrainians continue to assert identity, culture and survival under conditions of invasion and displacement. It includes contributions from Dr Brendan Flynn, School of Political Science and Sociology and the Ryan Institute, speaking on land, nature and memory in Ukraine’s war for survival, drawing connections with Ireland’s own history of land, dispossession and resistance; journalist and writer Natalya Korniyenko, co-founder of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Ireland, reflecting on the ethical role of writing in wartime, based on her work with Ukrainian writers, poets and journalists currently working on the frontline; and Tetiana Vysotska, PhD student at the University of Galway, art therapist, poet, artist and filmmaker, speaking about art as voice and advocacy, drawing on her work with displaced children and adults and the role of creative practice in mental health, recognition and care. 
• Tuesday February 24^th, 4pm: Public screening of the first feature film about the Russian invasion of Ukraine People. The screening is intended for an English-speaking audience. The film is a powerful, honest and deeply human story about five women’s survival after war was visited on them in their homes, cities and destinies. The film is a tribute to the unseen victims. 

Ends