On July 9, Lviv Polytechnic held the presentation of the new books – «Bohdan Ihor Antonych – for children» and «Ihor Kalynets – for children», published by «Apriori». Friends and admirers of Ihor Kalynets, a famous poet, public activist, political prisoner, winner of the Shevchenko Prize, came to greet him a happy 82nd birthday.
The festive meeting with Ihor Kalynets was held in the restored Assembly Hall of the main building of Lviv Polytechnic. The event was organized by the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations, in which Ihor Kalynets is a longtime employee.
On behalf of all the Polytechnicians, the poet was greeted by the First Vice-Rector Oleh Matviikiv, who wished the poet good health, grateful readers and many years of fruitful work. He also stressed that we must educate our children and grandchildren by reading the works of Ihor Kalynets and Bohdan Ihor Antonych.
The event was also broadcasted, so guests from Ukraine and abroad had the opportunity to join the congratulations. Schoolchildren of all ages from around the world recorded videos of recitations of poets’ poems.
Among those who made a welcoming speech were the Director of the publishing house «Apriori» Yurii Nykolyshyn and the editor of the book « Bohdan Ihor Antonych – for children» Oksana Halanyk.
Oreslava Khomyk, the Department of Education and Science of LRSA, the Union of Ukrainian Women and the St. George Public Council, greeted the poet, emphasizing the unique poetry and the purity of thoughts that make you delve into every word.
Poet’s daughter Zvenyslava Mamchur-Kalynets also greeted her father. The deputy minister and public activist shared her memories, experiences and emotions when she first read the poems which her father sent from prison…
– I am glad that my father can present his books in good health today. Thank you, Iryna Kliuchkovska, and the whole IECDR team, for believing and helping to hold this presentation. Your support is extremely important to us! – emphasized Mz. Mamchur-Kalynets.
Oleh Syniutka, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, also joined the words of congratulations. Reciting an excerpt from Ivan Franko’s The Stonecutters, he wished Ihor Kalynets many more years of inspired work.
Director of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Diaspora Relations, Iryna Kliuchkovska, also greeted the poet:
– We know that next to us is a great person, a man who has an extremely deep knowledge of us, Ukrainians, our history, our existence, our mentality, our present and the progression of what is happening to us. This is a man who, speaking of the Heavenly Hundred, cries… We understand that these are tears of truth and great pain in the heart. He cries together with Ukraine. We see tears when our flag rises. We see Ihor Kalynets’ tears and great joy when he sees our army...
Ihor Kalynets shared a story from his life, in particular, told about many years of imprisonment, which eventually led to creativity for children – in fact, all the works were dedicated to his daughter Zvenyslava. He also told about the process of preparation for the publication of Bohdan Ihor Antonych’s poetry. Finally, the poet read several of his works.
Father Sevastian Dmytrukh, Director of Andrei Sheptytsky National Museum in Lviv, Andrii Sodomora, poet, philosopher, public activist, and Bohdan Zalizniak, poet and journalist, joined the greetings
