Day 2 was a profound deep-dive into the “Global Soul” of the Ukrainian diaspora. Today, the ?????? ?????? ???? moved from theoretical frameworks to the living, breathing life trajectories of those who carried Ukraine in their hearts across continents.
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The day opened with a moving session titled “????? ??????: ???? ???????????? ?? ????????? ???”. ????? ??????? (Heidelberg University) and ????? ?????????? (V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University) guided us through the intricate paths of Displaced Persons. These aren’t just statistics; they are stories of resilience, of families rebuilding from ashes, and of an intellectual identity that refused to be extinguished by distance.
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Between the heavy academic sessions, we took to the streets of Munich. ????? ?????? led an immersive ??????? ????: ????????? ?????? ????? ????. Walking past the very buildings where the Ukrainian Free University (UFU) and other institutions found their second life, we felt the tangible weight of our presence in this city. Munich isn’t just a host; it is a chapter of our national survival.
A particularly touching moment occurred when Peter Hilkes led the group of students to our own UFU building. Rector Professor Larysa Didkovska was there to personally and warmly welcome the guests. To be greeted by the Rector in our own building underscored the sense of home and continuity that UFU provides for the Ukrainian academic community, even decades after its settlement in Munich.
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The centerpiece of the afternoon was a gripping panel on ????????? ????????? ?? ????? ???????, chaired by Chancellor of UFU Dmytro Shevchenko. This session felt like uncovering a hidden Atlantis.
??? ????? ?? “????????? ?????”: Vitorio Sorotiuk (Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation) took us back to the late 19th century, explaining how the “pioneer spirit” was forged in the rural expanses of Paraná. He highlighted the shift from the first waves of agricultural “fever” to today’s resilient, urbanized community that just last year saw the opening of the ????????? ???? ?????????? ?? ??????.??? “???????” ?? ????????: ????? ????? (University of Alberta) expanded our horizon to Paraguay, Uruguay, and beyond. He revealed a unique “Southern path” of identity – where descendants speak Spanish, Guarani, and Ukrainian – creating a structural stability that differs from the North American experience.???????? & ??? ????????? ???: ??????? ???????? (KAS Colombia) provided a sobering look at the current narrative in the Andean region. In a vacuum where Russian disinformation often thrives, she highlighted the urgent need for “truth-telling.” Ukraine and Colombia are natural partners – both are resource-rich, both are shaped by conflict, and both are fighting to define their sovereignty under pressure.???????: ?????????? ?? ???
We concluded the day with a soulful Round Table (in German) on “?????????? ?? ??? ??? ?????????”. Featuring writer ??????? ????????? and literary critic Alexander Kratochvil, the discussion explored how trauma and displacement are transcribed into art.
The conversation was expertly moderated by Verena Nolte (Kulturallmende gUG, Munich), who skillfully bridged the gap between the historical context of migration and the visceral reality of contemporary literature in a time of war. As we discussed the power of the written word, it became clear: while borders may shift, the Ukrainian narrative remains an unbreakable thread.
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Text by Dr. Liliia Bondarenko
