On April 6, International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, as part of the project “Integration of European Values into Ukrainian Education, Science, and Sport” (EVUESS), co-funded by the European Union, the “Bench of Unity” was unveiled. The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet module.

This event has become an important symbol of European integration, support for Ukraine, student development, and the affirmation of the values of peace, solidarity, mutual respect, and unity. For us, this is not just an artistic object, but a space of shared meaning that reminds us: it is through education, science, and sports that we build a strong, conscious, and united society.

The event began with a nationwide moment of silence and the performance of the National Anthem of Ukraine. It is moments like these that particularly deeply underscore our respect for the Ukrainian people’s struggle, our gratitude and patriotism, as well as our unwavering desire to build Ukraine’s future on the foundations of dignity, freedom, and unity.

The event was initiated by the project team: project coordinator, Associate Professor Yaroslav Halan, as well as team members— Professor Yuriy Moseychuk, Professor Yaroslav Zori, and Professor Yan Kapranov.

The event was also attended by distinguished guests and friends of the faculty: the dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Construction, and Decorative and Applied Arts, Associate Professor Yevheniia Novak; leading specialist of the International Relations Department Anastasiia Omelchenko; Emil Ibragimov — Master of Sports of Ukraine in track and field, multiple national champion, participant in five world championships, and head of the sports club at Yuri Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Andriy Korolyanchuk, head of the Faculty’s Council of Young Scientists Karina Iordaki, and Associate Dean for Academic and Organizational Affairs Andriy Moldovan.

It was especially nice that students — participants in the module and events implemented as part of the project — were with us. Symbolically, the opening began with a joint creative endeavor: together, we painted stars on the “Bench of Unity,” infusing this process with ideas of unity, support, and partnership.

Afterward, an information plaque was installed on the bench, featuring an NFC tag that links to the project’s official website, available in both Ukrainian and English. In this way, we once again emphasized the project’s openness, its modernity, and its focus on promoting European values within Ukraine’s educational, scientific, and sports communities.

The Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports, and Rehabilitation, Professor Yuriy Moseychuk, noted that today it is particularly important to create such unifying initiatives for students, which are real steps toward development, mutual understanding, and a European future.

We extend special thanks to Yevheniia Kryvorchuk and Yelyzaveta Sagaidak for creating the design, actively participating in the artistic and aesthetic aspects of this event, and making a significant creative contribution to its presentation.

We sincerely thank the university administration for their assistance in organizing and conducting the event, and all participants for their support, unity, and joint creation of meaningful experiences for our youth. “The Bench of Unity” will now serve as yet another symbol that even in difficult times, we continue to build a space of peace, development, and shared values.