In 2022, the cultural community of Ukraine will celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of the most famous Ukrainian philosopher, poet and educator - Hryhorii Savych Skovoroda (1722-1772). A trip to Skovorodynivka, the place of the last months of Hryhorii Skovoroda's life, was organized for the stuff and representatives of all faculties of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs with the support of the university's trade union organization.
The bus tour began in the historic center of our city, near the building of Kharkiv Historical Museum named after Mykola Sumtsov, which leads its pedigree from the Museum of Slobidska Ukraine named after Hryhorii Savych Skovoroda”, created in 1920. It is not suprising, because it is the philosophical level to understand history, culture and science that reveals to us the true meaning, tasks and meaning of life, both as an individual and as a whole nation. Skovoroda combined the most important cultural achievements of Baroque culture with his educational influence, he prepared the ground for the opening of Kharkiv University, which became a kind of alma mater for almost all modern universities in the city.
In autumn 2021 on the basis of the National Memorial and Literary Museum the XXIX International Scientific Conference was held dedicated to one of the first professors of the University of Internal Affairs, longtime head of the Department of Philosophy and Political Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Oleksandr Kryvulia (14.10.1941 - 15.03.12). We remember that it was on his initiative that the first international Skovoroda readings in Kharkiv were launched at our university - scientific conferences dedicated to the study of the heritage of the most prominent Ukrainian philosopher and topical scientific issues. Among the latter is the protection of public morality, traditional and universal values in Ukrainian society, without which it is impossible to preserve it as a carrier of one's own spirit. The twentieth century refuted the blind faith of mankind in the presiding and self-sufficient role of science and constant social progress. Without well-defined guidelines, man is not able to build a bright future, and scientific progress turns against him and nature itself. This is the relevance of Hryhorii Skovoroda's religious philosophy in general and its ethical guidelines, as well as the very issues on which the great Ukrainian pondered. His poetry, fables, philosophical works and letters - all this is a treasure that will help overcome the problems of our time, because human nature does not change over time and eternal values remain a guide and judge for those who forget to imitate and nurture them throughout one’s life.
During the excursions conducted by the museum staff, the audience felt how interesting and close to our contemporaries Hryhorii Skovoroda is. Aroused interest in the legacy of the philosopher has the opportunity to be realized in self-education and scientific creativity in the coming years.
Representatives of the university gratefully appreciated the opportunity to admire the autumn beauty of this corner of Slobozhanshchina, to see the sculptures located in the English park, which are dedicated to the work of the great philosopher. Therefore, we can only thank the trade union committee of KhNUIA and its chairman Valery Ivanovich Moskovets for such trips!
The director of the museum Andrii Prokhorov
