The more we know - the more we can!
Each country has its own symbols. They do not only distinguish the state from others, they also reflect its history. University is not an exception. Moreover, it is a country - the country of knowledge. Our university has its own coat of arms, emblem, badge and flag. On May 29, 2000 the Academic Board of Uzhhorod National University approved the Regulations on the symbols of the university. We have learned more about the symbols of our university from the lecturer of the Faculty of History Oleh Slipetskyi.
- Oleh Stepanovych, who was the initiator of creating symbols for the university?
- The idea was generated by the Vice-Rector for Academic Policy Mykhaylo Pityulych. The group of authors consisted of nine people headed by the rector of Uzhhorod National University, Professor Volodymyr Slyvka.
- How was the emblem created?
- The idea of general concept of the University emblem, in my opinion, is very successful. It was offered by Professor Mykhaylo Tyvodar. Frankly, according to the rules of creation the above mentioned symbol is imperfect. Emblems and coats of arms should not contain perspectives, image should be flat, but we reached an agreement by voting and marked the Carpathian Mountains with a golden contour line.
- Why these symbols?
- The golden sign of universality - the universum in the form of a trefoil with a silver inscription Unaversitas («University") is painted on the background of the Carpathian mountains. It is a symbol of professional orientation of the university as a research and educational institution that trains specialists in fundamental subjects. The year of UzhNU foundation is marked under the golden trefoil.
- How can you comment the choice of colors?
- It is a traditional combination: blue and yellow or gold and silver. Blue indicates honesty, loyalty and perfection. Gold is a sign of faith and justice. Their tandem is traditional in folk art. Silver embodies hope, truth and generosity and is a symbol of commonly used poetic name of Transcarpathia: Silver Land.
- Coat of arms is another symbol of the university. Could you tell more about it?
- The coat of arms is made in the same colors as the emblem. The shield is tripartite and blue. The frame of the shield and the lines dividing it into three parts are golden. Two silver edelweiss flowers are depicted in the right heraldic sector of the shield. It displays courage, purity of thoughts and longevity. The left field contains two silver goose feathers that overlap. They are a symbol of mental work. In the central part you can see a silver universamus. There is a golden trident above the shield. The shield is supported by two deer, which mean power, beauty and nobility. The university motto: "The more we know – the more we can" is written with silver letters on a golden ribbon under the shield.
- Authors also designed the badge of Uzhhorod National University...
- Yes, in my opinion, the badge is nice, but unfortunately, no one wears it. And if it is done in "correct" colors, shades, the product will look nice, for example, on a jacket.
- What proved to be the most difficult in the process of creation of symbols?
- The biggest challenge was to find the symbol of the university. Usually the picture of the main building is used for such purposes, but we agreed on the universum as a symbol.
- Who was responsible for drawing the image?
- Mykhaylo Tyvodar invited Vasyl Skakandiy – a famous graphic artist - to join our team of authors. It was his task to develop the graphics component. It should be noted that the symbol was created by hand because it was impossible to do it with the help of computer technologies at that time.
- Finally, a few words about the anthem - another essential attribute of alma mater...
- Less attention was paid to the anthem compared to the emblem and the coat of arms. The text was written by our graduate Petro Skunts - Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine laureate. The music was composed by Yaroslav Kyrlyk. The melody is somewhat difficult to perform, but it is definitely beautiful. This is our anthem, we must know and respect it like all other symbols of the university.
