Ukrainian Free University established in Brazil, first of its kind

The Ukrainian academic and cultural community in South America has founded a new educational center. The Ukrainian Free University in Brazil, named after Vira Vovk (UNILUC), was officially established during a virtual general assembly on Dec. 10.

The announcement was made by Vitório Sorotiuk, a UWC board member and former head of the Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation.

Fifty-two participants assembled from various states and cities, including Brazilian and Ukrainian university professors and professionals from different fields. A message from Kyiv was sent by the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Sorotiuk said.

Among the attendees were Larysa Didkovska, rector of the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, which has a 105-year history; Prof. Serhii Tsypko from the Ukrainian Studies Center at the University of Alberta, Canada; and Professor Marileia Gartner from the Slavic Studies Center in Brazil.

The newly established Brazilian university is a nonprofit cultural and academic association. Its mission is to teach, research, and promote knowledge of the Ukrainian language, literature, history, arts, law, politics, and culture both in the diaspora and in Ukraine.

The institution will operate as a free university under Brazilian law.

“We wish the newly established Vira Vovk University – UNILUC in Brazil a fruitful journey and much success!” Sorotiuk said.