Faculty Members and Students of TNMU Attended Presentations of Patriotic Books

Faculty members from the Department of Physiology with the Basics of Bioethics and Biosafety and the Department of Internal Medicine, along with students, attended the presentation of patriotic books titled “Reflections from the Front and the Rear, or the Evolution of Independence” by Andriy Stefanets and Volodymyr Ukhach, and “Let Us Not Be Silent”. The event gathered many residents of Ternopil, including TNMU Associate Professors Nataliya Volotovska and Oksana Ruzhytska, as well as university students.

The event was moderated by Vira Horoshok, Head of the City Loan Department of the Ternopil Regional Universal Scientific Library.

Attendees honored the memory of fallen Heroes of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war with a moment of silence. Following this, Andriy Stefanets, co-author of the presented books and a native of the Ternopil region, shared the story behind the creation of the books and read his own poems from the collections.

Associate Professor Nataliya Volotovska also shared her impressions:
“Each poem recited today pierced through the soul. It’s especially touching to speak now, not as a writer, but as the illustrator of this edition. Working on it was both difficult and easy — because in order not to traumatize readers with pain, I searched for hope between the lines. I thank our military personnel, present here today, for keeping the sky above us. And I remind our students — healing can come through words. It’s just as important when a soldier himself speaks out and releases his emotions, easing his burden.”

Mr. Stefanets described “Reflections from the Front and the Rear, or the Evolution of Independence” as a kind of chronicle of human stories that may never appear in textbooks but remain in the nation’s memory. The book is unique in that it not only reflects the authors’ personal views on Ukraine’s complex history, but also gathers memories and reflections of soldiers themselves, who found the strength to share their perspectives on the realities of war. These books amplify the voices of soldiers, medics, volunteers, and chaplains – those on the front line of the struggle for independence.

The wives of Andriy Stefanets and Volodymyr Ukhach emotionally recited poems written by their husbands, included in the book.

The evening also featured a heartfelt poetry performance by the “Syayvo” ensemble, led by Nadiya Osadchuk.

These publications serve as a true emotional shield of our time, helping us remain grounded. When it comes to expressing gratitude for the lives we now live thanks to our defenders, preserving memory, names, perspectives, and dreams on the pages of these books becomes an invaluable gesture. The weapon of the word is also the power to keep on living.