A university is more than a place for learning, scholarship and research. It is a community that stands by its people and creates spaces where they can experience care, calm and inner strength.
With this in mind, on 27 June the Botanical Garden of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv hosted a Day of Renewal for the families of University service members and the families of missing and fallen defenders, together with the Remember Ukraine NGO and Iryna Novosiadlo.
The Day of Renewal brought together nature, creativity, conversation and music, creating a space for emotional rest and mutual support.
Participants enjoyed a guided walk through the Botanical Garden’s seasonal areas and a visit to its greenhouse, with an opportunity to appreciate nature and discover the University’s unique botanical collections.
During the Garden in a Pot workshop, everyone created a plant arrangement using specimens from the nursery and greenhouse and took it home as a living reminder of the day.
Tea made from aromatic herbs grown in the Botanical Garden added to the atmosphere. The gathering concluded with Singing Renewal, a music workshop led by Anastasiia and Vira, students of the LNU Faculty of Culture and Arts, who shared warmth, heartfelt emotion and a sense of togetherness.
The event was organised by the Center for Cooperation with Patrons and Alumni at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
A large University team and partners helped make the Day of Renewal possible.
We sincerely thank Andrii Prokopiv, Director of the LNU Botanical Garden; Myroslava Tsyhylyk, Dean of the Faculty of Culture and Arts; Yaryna Yanchak of the Center for Veteran Support and Social Initiatives; and Botanical Garden staff Mariia Nadryha and Myroslava Helesh for their support and for leading the tour, Garden in a Pot activity and herbal tea workshop.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Andrii Duma, Director of Lvivske ATP-14631 LLC (East West Euroline), for supporting the event.
Working together, the University community, civil society and socially responsible businesses created a space of care, support and emotional renewal for the families.
As Ukraine fights for its freedom every day, gatherings like this become especially valuable. A community’s resilience begins with simple things: being there for one another, sharing warm moments and knowing that you are not alone.
Such initiatives show how the University community, alumni, patrons, businesses and civic organisations can work together to create a culture of care, one of the most important values of a modern university.
