7th International Symposium "Romanian-Ukrainian Relations: History and Modernity"

On February 26–27, 2016, the 7th International Symposium “Romanian-Ukrainian Relations: History and Modernity” took place in Satu Mare (Romania), organized by the Union of Ukrainians of Romania and the Satu Mare County Branch of the Union. This year, the event was held in partnership with the Satu Mare County Council, the Satu Mare County Museum, Uzhhorod National University, the Western University “Vasile Goldiș” (Satu Mare branch), the National Forestry University of Ukraine (Lviv), and the “Public Resources and Initiatives” Charity Foundation (Chernivtsi).

Joint academic events have become a good tradition in Romanian-Ukrainian relations, providing a platform for discussions on pressing issues in history, culture, politics, and more. Participants of the symposium included not only scholars specializing in Romanian-Ukrainian relations, but also public and cultural figures, educators, and practitioners working to foster constructive dialogue between the two nations.

Participants were welcomed by Myroslav Nicolae Petrețchi, Head of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania; Mihai Adrian Ștef, President of the Satu Mare County Council; and Costel Dorel Coica, Mayor of Satu Mare. More than 100 attendees joined the event. For better efficiency, the symposium’s work continued in two specialized sections: “History and Historiography” and “International Relations – Cultural Anthropology.”

Researchers from universities, museums, and archives of Ukraine and Romania discussed historical events along the Romanian-Ukrainian borderlands from ancient times to the present. Particularly intense and emotional was the debate around 20th-century history and current European security challenges. Scientific presentations on cross-border cooperation between the two countries—particularly in the fields of economy, ecology, culture, and education—generated significant interest..

The main focus of the symposium was the discussion of the history, current state, and future of Romanian-Ukrainian relations, with special attention to the Ukrainian diaspora in Romania. Leaders of county organizations of the UUR and other Ukrainian associations in Romania emphasized the challenges of preserving national identity while living outside their historical homeland. They also underlined the critical role of education in the mother tongue as a fundamental element in the national upbringing of youth.

A delightful surprise came from the delegation of the “Ukraine – World” Society, led by Secretary Aloy Kendzera, who organized a screening of the historical-documentary film “The Danube Cossacks” by Valentyn Sperkach and a concert by renowned Ukrainian singer and composer, Honored Artist of Ukraine Lesya Horova.

Another unexpected highlight for the participants was a theatrical adaptation of Ivan Nechuy-Levytsky’s novella “The Kaidash Family”, performed by the “Zhar-Ptytsia” Theater Group of the Cluj County Organization of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania.

The symposium was marked by a warm and friendly atmosphere, thanks primarily to the organizers—the Union of Ukrainians of Romania and the Satu Mare County Organization of the Union—particularly Mykola Myroslav Petrețchi and Irina Liuba Horvat, who has become the heart and soul of all Romanian-Ukrainian academic forums held in Satu Mare in recent years.

During the discussions, participants agreed that the Romanian public’s support for Ukraine’s Euromaidan and the firm position of Romania’s leadership in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to preserve its territorial integrity had fostered greater trust in bilateral relations. It was emphasized that this warming of ties presents an opportunity to implement joint projects across all areas of socio-economic life, laying a strong foundation for sustained rapprochement between the two nations and their peoples.

As a result of the 7th Romanian-Ukrainian Academic Symposium, the organizers are preparing a collection of scholarly articles by the participants for publication.​