Early June is always a time of exciting and memorable moments, as bachelors present their diploma projects. On June 9, 2026, the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts hosted the in-person defence of bachelor’s graduation works by students of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

This graduating class holds special significance. “We are celebrating the first wartime graduation of students who entered the Academy in the difficult year of 2022. They studied and created under the conditions of war“, noted Rector Oleksandr SOBOLIEV.

The defence sessions began with students of the “Easel and Monumental Sculpture” educational programme, whose projects were presented at the Kharkiv House of Artists. This artistic venue warmly opened its doors to young creators, becoming a stage for their professional achievements.

The programme continued in the Academy’s safe space HudpromLoft, where students of the educational programmes “Restoration and Expertise of Works of Art”, “Graphics”, and “Easel Painting” presented their graduation projects. Each artwork carried a piece of the artist’s personal journey: their experiences, concerns, and hopes for the restoration of our cultural heritage. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, excitement, and sincere emotions.

The day was also marked by another important event. The Chairman of the State Examination Commission and Rector of the Academy, Oleksandr SOBOLIEV, together with Kostiantyn CHERNIAVSKYI, Head of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, and Viktor KOVTUN, Head of its Kharkiv Regional Branch, announced the establishment of named scholarships for Academy students.

This initiative was further supported by Vladyslav PRYIMENKO, Honorary Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine and Member of the Supervisory Board of Erste Bank. He emphasised that these scholarships are a gesture of recognition for Kharkiv’s artistic community, for those who have stayed in the city and continue to create despite all the challenges. In his speech, he also expressed gratitude to the students for their creativity and inspiration.

The inaugural scholarships were awarded to four talented graduates of the Academy: Viktoriia VASYLENENKO, Amina MANSUROVA, Anna MAKLIUK, and Mariia TIMCHENKO.

The ceremonial day concluded with warm words of congratulations from the Chairman of the Examination Commission, lecturers, family members, and friends who came to support the graduates as they step into their professional careers.