The Sixtiers... There were few of them, only a few – but they ensured the continuity of the national liberation struggle. In the darkest times, they challenged the empire, sacrificially risking their own lives, but it was they who prevented Ukraine from turning into Belarus... And in that cohort of brave people, the star of the couple Iryna and Ihor Kalynets shone brightly.
«Were we dissidents? No, we were not. We were nationalists and criticized the communist ideology not because it did not suit us, but because it was completely alien and denied everything Ukrainian».
These calm and unassuming words of Ihor Kalynets are the quintessence of the entire life, creativity and self-sacrificing struggle of this heroic married couple, their opposition to the totalitarian system, for which they paid with years of persecution and imprisonment.
Ukraine remembers, and we remember too. After all, we owe it to them that back in 1992, it was on the initiative of Iryna Kalynets that the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations (IECDR) was established. Ihor Kalynets gave 30 years of his life to IECDR, and his life experience, unconditional moral authority, intellectual capital, and expert opinion were a guide in the activities of the Institute.
On December 9, 2025, an evening in memory of Iryna and Ihor Kalynets «It’s Us, Lord» will be held in the Assembly Hall of the main building of Lviv Polytechnic. The following people will participate in the event:
- Zvenyslava Mamchur (Kalynets), daughter of Ihor and Iryna Kalynets, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Ecology at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, public figure;
- Nataliia Shakhovska, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Rector of Lviv Polytechnic National University, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
- Dr. Mykhailo Perun, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine, Director of the Andrei Foundation, Associate Professor at the Department of Theology, the Ukrainian Catholic University, Laureate of the Sviatoslav Hordynskyi and Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyi Prizes;
- Trembita Academic Choir of Ukraine, Laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, under the direction of Mykola Kulyk, People’s Artist of Ukraine;
- Nataliia Polovynka, Ukrainian actress, singer, teacher, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine (2006).
- Iryna Kliuchkovska, Director of the IECDR, laureate of the Iryna Kalynets Prize, Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine, Honorary Professor of Lviv Polytechnic.
May this evening of remembrance become a tribute of our gratitude to the great Ukrainians who contributed not only to the formation of the Ukrainian state, but also made an invaluable impact on the development of Lviv Polytechnic, with which they were bound by years of dedicated service.
Representatives of academic communities, cultural institutions, clergy, student youth, media, and wide circles of the public will take part in the event. Start at 16:00.
For details, please write to the IECDR email address iiec@miok.lviv.ua. For media inquiries, please contact press@miok.lviv.ua and by phone +38 (032) 258–01–51, 096 540 56 33.
For more information about Iryna and Ihor Kalynets, visit the website of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations.