On February 20, Ukraine commemorates the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred — people who gave their lives for the freedom, dignity, and European choice of our country during the Revolution of Dignity. It was during these February days of 2014 that the confrontation between the Ukrainian people and the then regime reached its apogee.
From February 18 to 20, 78 people died on the Maidan, and after February 20, more than 20 more protesters died from their injuries. All of them went down in history as the Heavenly Hundred — a symbol of the indomitable Ukrainian spirit and sacrificial love for the Motherland.
At Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, people traditionally gathered near the commemorative Obelisk dedicated to students and teachers who died in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence to pay tribute to the eternally young student of the Faculty of Philosophy, Roman Huryk.
The university rector, Valentyna Yakubiv, attended the event; representatives of the administration; the chairman of the university’s Academic Council, Ihor Tsependa; teachers, students, and university employees; Roman’s family — in particular, his mother, Iryna Huryk; and media representatives.
Roman Huryk is a Hero of the Heavenly Hundred, a Hero of Ukraine. The life of a 19-year-old young man, full of dreams, plans, and faith in a bright future, was cut short too early. He sought to live fully, to create, to change the country for the better. Roman paid a high price for our right to live in a free, democratic state.
Today, he is one of the youngest Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and one of its brightest symbols — an example of courage, self-sacrifice, and indomitability for the entire university community.
Those present honoured the Hero’s memory by laying flowers and lighting lamps at the memorial Obelisk. During a moment of silence, everyone mentally thanked those who gave their lives for Ukraine.
“The events that took place in 2014 on the Maidan, and the heroism and exploits of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, became the first clear sign for the whole world that Ukraine is not just a state. It is a nation that is capable of defending its rights, its freedom, its values, and its European future. For us, for the university community, it is essential to organise such events, because we want our students to know these events not only from textbooks on the history of Ukraine, but also from the memories of eyewitnesses – our graduates, teachers, and relatives of Roman Huryk. We must remember: standing here, studying, and working, we are responsible not only for preserving the memory of our heroes and worthy commemoration of their exploit, but also for living, studying, and working with dignity today – being grateful to those who gave their lives, the most precious thing they had, for this,” said the rector of the university, Valentyna Yakubiv, in her speech.
The Hero’s mother, Iryna Huryk, in her speech emphasised the importance of Ukrainian unity in times of trial, emphasising that the struggle for freedom continues today. She thanked the university community for preserving the bright memory of her son and all the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, for educating young people in the spirit of patriotism, dignity, and love for Ukraine.
According to her, the best tribute to memory is our daily work for the state, mutual support, and faith in the victory of truth.
The memory of Roman Huryk is not just about tragic events. It is the living responsibility of each of us. It is a reminder that freedom is not given forever – it is fought for and defended.
May the feat of Roman and all the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred be a guide for us. May their sacrifice strengthen our faith, give us strength in our studies, work, and service to Ukraine. For as long as we remember, they live in our hearts, in our actions, and in our desire to build a strong, free, and dignified state.
