On July 26–27, 2025, a large-scale event dedicated to the 87th anniversary of the observatory on Mount Pip Ivan — “The World Above Us. The World Around Us” took place in Precarpathia. The organizer was the Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University.
The two-day program covered three locations and four dimensions: sky, earth, and the world around us—through music, science, research, and interactive activities. And the world is ours—a charity event in support of amateurs who create drones for our defenders.
The event began with a video conference that connected the participants gathered at the International Science Center “Observatory” and the youth who welcomed everyone from the International Meeting Center in Mykulychyn.
The world above us
On July 26, at an altitude of 2,028 meters — at the observatory on Mount Pip Ivan — a unique musical and scientific performance took place. The famous TV and radio host, poet and musician Roman Kolyada presented the audience with a concert-improvisation “Music of the Cosmos. Under the Sky of Popivan”, which was complemented by a popular science lecture by the director of the astronomical research station Volodymyr Troyansky “What does the Universe sound like?”. Also, a guest of the observatory, Roman Kolyada, presented his book “The Seventh Sky of War” to the White Elephant library.
The world below us
The next day, a series of lectures, workshops, and ecological dialogues were held at the International Student Youth Meeting Center in Mykulychyn, which allowed for a new look at the Carpathians. Those present learned what secrets mountain geology holds, where to look for red rue, and what the appearance of the “Carpathian elephant” means. As part of the educational part of the project, a lecture by Myroslava Mylenka “The Scientific Magic of the Carpathians” and a musical dialogue by Roman Kolyada with participants of the STEFANYKecoSCHOOL summer school took place.
The world around us on August 26-27.
The program also included a series of practical classes at the Smerichka sports and recreation camp, where participants had the opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the Carpathians through digital tools, participate in a lichenological workshop, science quests, discussions, and photo shoots.
The world is ours
The event had an important charitable dimension. As part of the event, a fundraising campaign called “Drinking for the Birds” was held and continues to be held to support an engineer who creates drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The organizers emphasized: “We are climbing Pip Ivan thanks to those who hold the sky above us.”
Call to the bank: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/4Ue15EAXwG
Antarctica is closer than it seems
For the first time, as part of the celebration of the observatory’s 87th anniversary, the university hosted a delegation from the State Institution “National Antarctic Science Center” of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. It was headed by Deputy Director for Scientific Work Iryna Kozeretska.
The participants of the meeting from the university side were Acting Rector Ihor Tsependa, Director of the Astronomical Research Station Volodymyr Troyanskyi, Secretary of the Supervisory Board Yana Stadilna, and Head of the Department of Biology and Ecology Myroslava Mylenka.
During the visit, the Agreement on Scientific and Scientific-Technical Cooperation between Carpathian University and the National Antarctic Science Center was signed. This document opens new horizons for Ukrainian science – from the Carpathians to the Akademik Vernadsky Station in Antarctica. The cooperation involves conducting joint research, training participants in polar expeditions, and joint participation in international programs and conferences.
Denys Pishniak (NANC) and Volodymyr Troyansky (Vasyl Stefanyk National University of Kyiv) were appointed as coordinators. The union of mountain peaks, human hearts, and scientific horizons.
The event “The World Above Us. The World Around Us” demonstrated not only the power of an interdisciplinary approach, but also the new quality of university initiatives. It became another step for Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University on the path to establishing itself as a powerful educational and scientific center of international level.
