Some of the most prominent events included:
On Monday, March 7, 2002, Maynooth University hosted a Candlelight Vigil at the Freedom Sculpture at which the University President, Professor Eeva Leinonen addressed the university community and the public. Other speakers included the Centre’s members – Oleg Chupryna and his niece Jennifer Anorue who arrived from her native and now war-ridden city of Kharkiv and Prof. Hana Cervinkova. The Vigil was followed by a generously-attended public lecture in which Prof. Cervinkova, Dr John Paul Newman and Oleg Chupryna explained the historical roots and current realities of the conflict.
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/University%20Vigil%20for%20Ukraine%2C%20February%2024%2C%202022.jpg?itok=rWsR26_2)
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/Oleg%20Chupryna%20speaking%20at%20the%20February%2024%2C%202022%20Vigil.jpg?itok=oUDESDX9)
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/Hana%20Cervinkova%20and%20Jennifer%20Anorue%20speaking%20at%20the%20Vigil%20on%20February%2024%2C%202022.jpg?itok=GgsGhsqz)
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/Eolas%20Building%20Lit%20in%20Ukraine%20Flag%20Colors%2C%20February%2024%2C%202022.jpg?itok=WfUKtfvU)
On Friday, 18th November President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine delivered a unique address by video link to Ireland's university community. At Maynooth University, the event was attended by 250 students and faculty and followed by expert panel that included Her Excellency, Anna Sochańska, Ambassador of Poland to Ireland, Professor Hana Cervinkova (Dept of Anthropology and Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies), Prof. John O' Brennan (Department of Sociology and Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies) Dr. John Paul Newman (Department of Sociology and Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies) and Oleg Chupryna (Ukrainian PhD student, Department of Sociology).
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/zelensky_0.jpg?itok=DBHsPN75)