In 2026, Ukraine celebrates 450 years since the founding of the Ostroh Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy and 500 years since the birth of its founder, Prince Vasyl-Konstiantyn Ostrozkyi.
On February 23, the international symposium began, coinciding with two significant dates in our history. The Centre for the Study of the Heritage of the Ostrozkyi Princes at the NaUOA is organising the event, which will run until Friday, February 27.
The Rector of the University, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Professor Eduard Balashov, addressed the participants of the symposium with an introductory speech:
"It is especially valuable for us that the symposium brings together researchers from different cities in Ukraine and Europe. Such a wide geographic range of participants testifies to the relevance of the Ostroh heritage in the modern world and its importance to the international academic community. I am convinced that the reports presented will serve as the basis for new research, discussions, and inter-institutional cooperation. I thank the Centre for the Study of the Heritage of the Ostrozkyi Princes, in particular Mr Ihor Teslenko, for the initiative and organisation of the symposium, as well as all the speakers for their willingness to join the common understanding of our history."
President of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor Ihor Pasichnyk added:
"I congratulate all participants of today's important event. I believe the most influential scientists in Ostrohiana (Ostroh historical and cultural heritage studies) who have made the greatest contributions to the development of this field are present here. I am sincerely grateful to you for this. Ostroh Academy and Ostroh princes deserve to be talked about not only in Ukraine, but also abroad."
The symposium began with the presentation of the eighth issue of "The Duchy of Ostroh in the Olden Days" Journal, which aims to popularise and publish the results of scientific research on the history of the Ostroh principality from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The journal's primary assignments are to publish scholarly research, provide all interested parties with prompt and convenient access to it, foster an open information environment, and create a discussion platform for interaction between experienced scholars and early-career researchers.
Cand. Sc. (History), Head of Centre for the Study of the Heritage of the Ostrozkyi Princes, and the journal's executive editor, Ihor Teslenko, recalled that the first issue of "The Duchy of Ostroh in the Olden Days," edited by Ihor Mytsko, was published in 1995.
Each issue is divided into thematic sections: "Princes of Ostroh: Figures and Situations", "Heirs and Servants of the Ostrozkyi House", "The Academy", "The Ostroh Principality", and "Documents and Materials". For the first time, a rubric introduced specifically for the eighth issue – "Historians and Historiography" – appears on the pages of the journal.
Ihor Teslenko noted that the eighth issue contains 12 articles written by 15 authors who live and work in Ukraine, Poland, Germany and the United Kingdom. Most researchers are from Ukraine, namely: Ostroh, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Netishyn, Kremenets, Drohobych and Dubno.
During the presentation, the Head of the Centre briefly discussed each publication in the new issue of "The Duchy of Ostroh in the Olden Days." Everyone had the opportunity to participate in the discussion of the materials presented and ask questions.
"I would like to individually thank the colleagues and friends who contributed to the publication of the eighth issue: first and foremost, the designer Dmytro Vyhovskyi; our long-standing editor responsible for the journal's layout, Nataliia Krushynska; reviewers Ihor Mytsko and Andrii Feloniuk; Mykola Bendiuk; as well as the leadership of Ostroh Academy,"
By the way, on Tuesday, February 24, at 17:00, the "The Capital of the Principality and Its Inhabitants" Panel will be held as part of the symposium. We invite everyone interested to join us via the link!
