On 4 July, Lviv Polytechnic hosted a meeting dedicated to the memory of Vasyl Nahirnyi, a prominent architect, public figure and founder of a number of public associations, which resulted in the signing of a memorandum of cooperation.
Olena Vasylko, Head of the Architecture Department, explained why the document signed this evening is important:
– The memorandum concerns the church in the village of Poliany, which is known for the iconostasis paintings of Mr Sosenko, a master whom we all love. And many thanks to you for knowing this and carrying the love of everything Ukrainian in your heart. I hope for your support and believe that we would raise funds for the restoration of the Church of the Resurrection in the village of Poliany.
After signing the memorandum between Olena Vasylko, a representative of the Lviv Regional Council, and Khrystyna Lev, a representative of the USA-based Foundation to Preserve Ukraine’s Sacral Arts, who is the great-granddaughter of architect Vasyl Nahirnyi, the latter spoke about the importance of the project she is leading.
–This is a very important project for our foundation, and it holds great personal significance for our family as well. It was initiated by my great-grandfather, Vasyl Nahirny, and it encompasses all key aspects of both the foundation’s work and my own. – said Khrystyna Lev. – I am truly grateful and deeply pleased to be part of it.
The next speaker was Vasyl Petryk, member of the Ukrainian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Associate Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Design, 91Ƶ,
– I am very pleased that today we are able to present such an important document outlining cooperation between the cultural heritage protection body of our Lviv Regional Department of Architecture and Urban Development and the public foundation led by Ms. Lev. This collaboration serves a clear and meaningful purpose – the preservation of a unique monument that reflects the legacy of two Ukrainian artists, Vasyl Nahirnyi and Modest Sosenko, who, at the turn of the century, helped shape a new style of Ukrainian church architecture and religious art that defined much of the twentieth century, noted Vasyl Petryk.
The scholar also noted that Vasyl Nahirnyi designed a unique church in the village of Poliany, which embodies his vision of church architecture. According to Mr. Petryk, this particular project inspired his son, Yevhen, who would go on to design numerous wooden churches. The Church of the Resurrection holds additional significance due to the contribution of Modest Sosenko, a distinguished master of fine arts, to its design. Concluding his speech, the scholar emphasized that the signing of the memorandum opens the door to cooperation across various areas.
– Such documents are a kind of roadmap for how the NGO and public authorities will work together to get the monument successfully restored, added Vasyl Petryk.
