On 6 August 2025, Khmelnytskyi National University took part in the official programme of the National Eisteddfod – Wales’s largest cultural festival, celebrating language, identity and creativity. This year, the festival was held in the picturesque city of Wrexham, surrounded by rolling hills, green meadows and ancient Welsh castles that symbolise the region’s centuries-old history and culture.
The central event of the day was a joint presentation by Khmelnytskyi National University and Bangor Universitywho have been collaborating for three years within the framework of the UK–Ukraine The Twinning Initiative. Launched during the full-scale war, this initiative brings together UK and Ukrainian universities to strengthen academic, scientific and cultural ties, support Ukrainian higher education institutions, safeguard the quality of teaching and expand international opportunities for students and staff.
The session was moderated by Dr Llion Jones, Director of Canolfan Bedwyr – the Centre for Welsh Language and Culture at Bangor University. He introduced the speakers and outlined a programme that combined official addresses, video messages, success stories and symbolic acts of cooperation.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Professor Oliver Turnbull, Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University, and Professor Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at KhNU. Her address in Ukrainian was translated into Welsh by Dr Jones, allowing the audience to feel both the meaning and the emotional depth of her words.
The participation of Professor Kateryna Skyba carried particular significance. During the visit of the KhNU delegation, led by Rector Serhii Matiukh and Vice-Rector for Research Oleh Syniuk, to Bangor six months ago, she and her colleagues came up with the idea of honouring the Ukrainian and Welsh languages on the same stage. It became clear that the historical paths of these languages are strikingly similar: they endured oppression, bans, attempts to be excluded from education and public life, yet both survived because their speakers refused to forget their mother tongue, preserved it and carried it through the centuries.
A special place in the programme was given to the video message of Olena Ivanovska, Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language of Ukraine, which was prepared especially for this event at the request of Khmelnytskyi National University. Welsh subtitles made the video accessible to everyone present. Ms Ivanovska emphasised:
“Our languages – Ukrainian and Welsh – have a common trait: they endured. Despite centuries of oppression, they preserved their uniqueness and today resound with renewed strength…”
She also thanked Welsh society for supporting Ukrainians who have found refuge in the UK due to the war:
“The Ukrainian people are sincerely grateful to Welsh society for its solidarity, support and warm welcome of Ukrainians…”
Her virtual presence was of particular importance, as she is a leader who stands for the protection of the Ukrainian language and represents its interests not only in Ukraine but also internationally.
In his address, Osian Llywelyn, Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, highlighted the shared historical paths of the two languages and expressed gratitude for the common noble cause – the preservation of cultural and linguistic heritage.
A touching and inspiring story was shared by two girls from a Ukrainian family from Kryvyi Rih – Sofiia and Solomiia – who, after moving to Wales, preserved their Ukrainian language while also mastering Welsh. They are a vivid example of how two cultures can coexist in one heart, enriching each other.
The closing speech was delivered by Gary Pritchard, Leader of Anglesey County Council, who stressed that such meetings are not only about culture and language, but also about building long-term connections between communities that share common values.
Signing of the Memorandum and New Horizons
The culmination of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Bangor University and Khmelnytskyi National University for a five-year term. The document provides for the expansion of academic exchanges, the implementation of joint research, cultural initiatives, and programmes aimed at developing the linguistic and cultural heritage of both countries.
Among the shared areas of cooperation is already the successful implementation of the international project on gender equality 3RSheLeader, focused on developing women’s leadership in higher education. This forms part of the partners’ broader efforts aimed at promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities in science and education.
Why it Matters
Participation of KhNU in the National Eisteddfod became powerful proof that the partnership with Bangor University is not only about formal agreements, but about living, active cooperation, based on mutual support, exchange of experience and deep respect for cultural heritage. The picturesque Welsh landscapes, majestic castles and warm hospitality of local residents made this day even more memorable in the shared history of the two universities.
Additional information:
The National Eisteddfod 2025 took place from 2 to 9 August in Wrexham, at the spacious festival site in the village of Isycoed. It is the largest music-and-poetry festival in Europe, bringing together more than six thousand participants and up to 170,000 visitors each year. With a history of over 160 years, in 2025 the festival was hosted in Wrexham for the seventh time.
The festival is renowned for its unique combination of artistic, musical, literary, theatrical and academic events, as well as competitions in Welsh language learning. Among the central moments are the Gorsedd ceremonies – “Chairing the Bard” and “Crowning the Bard”, which are accompanied by solemn rituals and spectacular dramatic performances.
The programme included activities for the whole family, while for non-Welsh speakers, simultaneous translation and learning zones were offered. The festival not only preserves and promotes the cultural heritage of Wales, but also makes a significant economic contribution to the development of the region.