Good fame has wide wings and, like a good seed, sprouts even after a long time. This is confirmed by the events in which Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design took part in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Until recently, they knew little about Ukraine. But one day, a Ukrainian song was performed on the main stage of the Dubai Opera House in the Middle East.

Out of the 28 performances featured in the three-hour show, the UAE’s most famous newspaper, the Kholifa Times, mentioned only a few names. Among them was Mykhailo Brunsky, Honorary Doctor of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, who was described as ‘a journey through time that evoked blessings and a sense of gratitude’.

Back then, his song ‘An Interesting Night’ lit up Ukraine with sunshine. That shining continued at the European Languages Day held recently in Abu Dhabi with the participation of 24 countries. Ukraine was among them. There was dancing, singing, and stories about the Ukrainian language and its difficult history. But the language of the people is not only words, but also deeds. It is also spoken through art. The exhibits of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design were able to demonstrate this. In particular, the exhibition visitors admired the rushnyks (embroidered towels) and motanka dolls made at the University. To learn more about the authors of these miraculous creations, they leafed through a book about Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. And they realised the main thing: Ukraine is rich not only in exotic things. Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design is among the Top 100 most prestigious design and pharmaceutical schools in the world, has its own institute in China, and trains specialists in demand all over the world. Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design combines the beautiful and the useful. And the knowledge of beauty is the way to mutual understanding of peoples. Because beauty inspires, lights the way, and awakens the best feelings.

 “Our University”, says Ivan Gryshchenko, Rector of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, “was supposed to represent Ukraine in the UAE in 2022. We arrived there on the day the enemy treacherously attacked Ukraine. So, at the call of our hearts, we started returning home the same day – we had to be with our people in the most difficult hours. Of course, we did not have time to fulfil our plans. But Mykhailo Brunsky, an honorary doctor of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, who is known in the UAE as a soloist of the Dubai Opera and the author of the world’s first electro-rock opera Orpheus and Eurydice, stayed behind. His performance of ‘An Interesting Night’ drew attention to Ukraine. It was the voice of the Ukrainian heart and the Ukrainian language.

At the European Languages Day celebration in Abu Dhabi today, the audience admired the rushnyks and motanka dolls made at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. The rushnyks presented at the Day of European Languages are a symbol of the Ukrainian worldview and the skill of Ukrainian craftswomen. Our exhibits are not just a piece of Ukrainian traditional decorative art, not only about the spirituality of our people, but also a call for cooperation and friendly relations.

The rushnyk has two ends. These are the shores from which the movement towards rapprochement should begin. This is how we declared ourselves in Ukrainian, with Ukrainian symbols, at the Day of European Languages in the presence of representatives of 24 countries. After all, the envoys of so many countries study at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design!

The University’s Alley of the Education Internationalisation, which features flags of the countries whose students study at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, can be called a hymn to the Ukrainian language in the national education and science. Looking at them, you feel the importance of the Ukrainian language not only for Ukrainians.

After all, today Ukraine is defending not only its territory and sovereignty, but also its language and culture on the battlefield. It is symbolic that the technological university represents the Ukrainian language in the UAE. This means that our language is all-encompassing. It is spoken not only at the everyday level, but also by researchers and educators. Foreign students come to study with us to access knowledge in Ukrainian. Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design is not only a high-quality modern academic education and scientific schools, not only the latest technologies, but also an ambassador of the brand, the Ukrainian language, national traditions, art and culture.

Mykola Petrushenko

04.10.2024