On June 18, 2026, the opening of the personal gallery of Viktor KOVTUN, People’s Artist of Ukraine, took place at the Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics.

The exhibition features 60 works by the artist, which he generously donated to the university.

The Mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor TEREKHOV, attended the opening ceremony. He expressed his gratitude to Viktor Kovtun for his dedication and contribution to the cultural life of Kharkiv during these challenging times of war.

“This exhibition is yet another contribution by Viktor Kovtun to the cultural life of the Kharkiv region. It is an example of genuine dedication to one’s city. During the years of the full-scale invasion, you, Mr. Kovtun, have created an extraordinary number of paintings depicting life in Kharkiv during the war, capturing every street, every event, and, above all, the emotions of the city’s residents. I am confident that this exhibition will be visited by students, lecturers, and visitors from other cities”, – Ihor Terekhov emphasised.

Reference: Viktor Kovtun is a People’s Artist of Ukraine, a laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, and a recipient of the Ilya Repin Prize.

The Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts is immensely proud of Viktor KOVTUN, Professor of the Department of Painting. Through his active civic engagement and dedication, he continues to support the cultural life of Kharkiv during wartime. For many years, he has also headed the Kharkiv branch of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, uniting artists around important cultural initiatives.