9th International Symposium "Romanian-Ukrainian Relations: History and Present"

February – November 2019: Participation in the Organization and Implementation of the 9th International Symposium "Romanian-Ukrainian Relations: History and Present"

From February to November 2019, preparations and implementation of the 9th International Symposium "Romanian-Ukrainian Relations: History and Present" took place, along with the publication of academic works based on the symposium’s results.

On March 8-9, 2019, the 9th International Symposium "Romanian-Ukrainian Relations: History and Present" was held in Satu Mare, Romania.

Opening and Plenary Session

The symposium participants were welcomed by:

• Mykola-Miroslav Petretsky, Member of the Romanian Parliament, Chairman of the Union of Ukrainians in Romania;
• Oleksandr Bankov, Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania;
• Darius Filip, Prefect of Satu Mare County;
• Other distinguished guests.

During the plenary session, discussions focused on:

• Romanian-Ukrainian relations in the contemporary period;
• The status of national minorities in Romania and Ukraine;
• The impact of Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine on Romanian-Ukrainian relations.

Scientific Cooperation and Academic Publications

Representatives of the universities organizing the symposium emphasized the importance of academic cooperation and international conferences to sustain the positive development of Romanian-Ukrainian relations. Special attention was given to joint publications and monographs, particularly those based on the previous international symposiums on Romanian-Ukrainian relations.

Sectional Work

The symposium's sectional work was divided into three thematic panels:

1. Archaeology, Source Studies, History
2. Political Science, Ethnology, Public Administration
3. Linguistics, Literary Studies, Education, and Arts

Each section included presentations on various aspects of Romanian-Ukrainian relations, followed by discussions and debates.

Among the conference participants were Serhiy Hakman and Nataliya Nechayeva-Yuriychuk, Vice President and a member of the Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation. Serhiy Hakman also served as a moderator for both the plenary session and sectional discussions.

Commemoration of Taras Shevchenko

On March 9, all symposium participants attended the "Taras Shevchenko Days" event, organized by the Union of Ukrainians in Romania in Satu Mare. The event featured:

• Speeches dedicated to the life and work of the great Ukrainian poet;
• Recitations of his famous poem "Testament" ("Zapovit") in Romanian and Ukrainian;
• A solemn wreath-laying ceremony;
• A festive concert celebrating Shevchenko’s legacy in Ukrainian history and modernity.

Organizers and Partners

The symposium was organized by:

• The Union of Ukrainians in Romania (Satu Mare Branch)

Partners included:

• Embassy of Ukraine in Romania
• Satu Mare County Council
• Satu Mare County Museum
• Uzhhorod National University
• Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
• Faculty of Philology, Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
• Radio Romania International
• Petre Dulfu County Library (Baia Mare)
• National Romanian Television
• Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation (Chernivtsi, Ukraine)
• Satu Mare Local Television
• "North-Western Gazette" (Satu Mare)

The symposium successfully promoted academic and cultural dialogue, strengthening Romanian-Ukrainian cooperation and fostering greater mutual understanding between the two nations.