On May 12, as part of the Days of Science, the National University of Ostroh Academy hosted a public lecture by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, Ukrainian Mayanist scholar, historian, Cand.Sc. (History) Yurii Poliukhovych.
The Rector of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full professor Eduard Balashov, delivered a welcoming speech:
"Today, we are honoured to welcome an extraordinary guest, Yurii Poliukhovych, whose work is an example of combining scientific research with an active diplomatic mission that adequately represents Ukraine in the world. At a time when Ukraine is fighting for its territorial integrity and the right to be part of the global intellectual community, such lectures are critical. They demonstrate that we have much to be proud of and that Ukrainian science is alive, strong, and capable of influencing global scientific discourse. I sincerely thank Mr Yurii for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience. I hope everyone enjoys a meaningful, interesting lecture, discoveries, and a pleasant intellectual experience."
The Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Doctor of Philosophy, and the NaUOA Professor, Dmytro Shevchuk, moderated the meeting.
During the event, Yurii Poliukhovych presented the topic “Modern Ukrainian Studies of Pre-Columbian American Civilisations”.
The Ambassador spoke about two civilisational regions (Mesoamerican and Andean) and devoted a significant part of his report to the Mayan civilisation.
"What makes the Maya civilisation unique is the presence of written sources, an original writing system that existed for more than a thousand years and is perhaps the best researched of all the writing systems in ancient America. Thanks to this, we can fully study the history of the Mayan people."
The speaker also focused on the original Mayan sources: written monuments (manuscripts of the 14-16 centuries, codices), monuments carved on stone or hard media (wood, polychrome ceramics), etc.
Yurii Poliukhovych also mentioned the work of epigraphers, researchers of writing and art, whose work, in addition to field research, includes work in laboratories and private collections.
The Ambassador spoke about the Maya Hieroglyphic Database, the largest project in the history of Maya culture and writing research, which has been going on for over 40 years. Yurii Poliukhovych was directly involved in the project's implementation in 2014-2016.
During the event, the audience could ask the speaker various questions. We talked about the Mayan calendar, researchers who contributed significantly to popularising the history of the Mayan civilisation, the Ukrainian diaspora in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, etc.
"I have always wanted to be involved in academic life and the events organised by Ostroh Academy. Occasionally, I came to your university with Vitalii Stanislavovych Koval. I hope to have the opportunity to visit the wonderful Ostroh Academy many times."
