News

March 03, 2014

Famous Musician Sviatoslav Vakarchuk visits Karazin University

Karazin University held a meeting between the famous Ukrainian musician, leader of the “Okean Elzy” band, public figure Sviatoslav Vakarchuk and the representatives of Kharkiv academic community.

“Ukraine is said to be poor, but how can a country with the 46-million population, such resources, soil, such people be poor? It is destined to be rich under the right system, with proper functioning of the government and decent morals. We have already got used to this idea; it’s our mentality and philosophy. Is it interesting for you to live in a country like that? We have to agree to live fairly, by moral rules: not stealing or envying but trying to help each other. I think we all live like this with our own friends and family. I, for example, never go my back on my principles. Why can’t the whole country live like this?” said Sviatoslav Vakarchuk addressing those present.

The musician repeatedly stressed that it was important to forget all the misunderstandings, to unite and show the strong will of Ukrainian people. Sviatoslav Vakarchuk voiced a belief that it was time for Ukraine to change the national idea: “Our idea sounds like this: we are different but we are together. Almost 46 million people thinking along the same lines are a huge force. Now we should have the following strategy: South and West together, steel will and cold mind, confidence in our rightness and, most importantly, we don’t want confrontations but we won’t step back, we have nothing to be afraid of if we are united by one idea, we ought to show that Ukraine is a united and peaceful country with a future”.

During the meeting held in the format of dialogue everyone present could ask Sviatoslav Vakarchuk questions and to receive exhaustive answers. Among other things, the meeting tackled overall development of Ukraine, including culture and education, the basic principles of civil society, information warfare, moral values and principles.