UNTAM Holds Artistic Event to Mark Knowledge Day

Today, September 1, 2026, the National Music Academy of Ukraine hosted a ceremonial event marking Knowledge Day for UNTAM students and the beginning of the new academic year. The event took place in the Hall named after Hero of Ukraine Vasyl Slipak.
The ceremony opened with a performance of the Academy Anthem. The UNTAM Student Choir, led by artistic director and conductor, Hero of Ukraine and People’s Artist of Ukraine Yevhen Savchuk, together with the Opera Studio Orchestra, performed the Anthem of the National Music Academy of Ukraine. The orchestra was conducted by Opera Studio conductor Artem Oleksiyenko.
As is customary, the event was opened by Maksym Tymoshenko, Rector of UNTAM, who addressed the students, faculty members, and guests with words of welcome, wishing them a successful academic year, creative achievements, inspiration, and new professional victories.

The participants of the ceremony were also addressed by Ma Shengkun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Ukraine, who extended his sincere best wishes to the students and faculty of the Academy and emphasized the importance of developing cultural and educational dialogue.
Viktor Vashchenko, Lieutenant Colonel and Head of the Psychological Support Service of the 19th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, also shared his wishes with the student community. In his address, he wished the students strength, resilience, confidence in their abilities, and determination to achieve their goals.
A special part of the event was the awards ceremony. On behalf of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, a Certificate of Merit from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine was presented to Herman Makarenko – Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Kyiv-Classic Orchestra, People’s Artist of Ukraine, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Doctor of Arts, Professor, Ambassador of Ukrainian Culture, and the first Ukrainian musician to receive the title of “UNESCO Artist for Peace.”
A high distinction was also presented to the Director of the Kyiv-Classic Orchestra.
Following the official ceremony, the audience enjoyed a short concert featuring UNTAM faculty members and students. Music became a special symbol of the beginning of the new academic year – a year filled with creative plans, professional growth, new discoveries, and achievements.
May the new academic year be a time of inspiration, dedicated work, and outstanding creative victories for the students of the Academy!
We wish the students, faculty members, and the entire UNTAM academic community a peaceful, successful, and fruitful academic year!