St. Nicholas has now taken up residence at the Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University — in the symbolic Station of Winter Wonders at the observatory on Pip Ivan Mountain. This is the highest point in Ukraine, where St. Nicholas now works. His lowest residence is located in the Odessa Catacombs.
It was with this news that the warm pre-Christmas holiday Stefanyk Open Day began, which brought together 2026 applicants, their parents, teachers, and the university community.
Immediately upon entering, guests entered the St. Nicholas Holiday Mailbox, a special location where everyone could leave their dream letters.
The university created an atmosphere of kindness and professional growth. Interactive zones designed by students and teachers allowed future entrants to touch upon different fields of knowledge, find inspiration, and see what exactly dreams are supported and helped to realize here.
Rector of the Carpathian National University, Valentyna Yakubiv, welcomed the guests and emphasized the university’s high positions in all-Ukrainian and international rankings, a large university community, and powerful opportunities for student development.
In her speech, she emphasized that the university is a place where applicants will find support, an environment for creativity, experimentation, professional growth, and true friends.
The following were prepared for the participants of Stefanyk Open Day:
• faculty and intellectual quizzes;
• getting acquainted with all 15 faculties and institutes;
• “dream lottery” and gifts from Saint Nicholas;
• interactive spaces dedicated to future professions;
• the opportunity to communicate with teachers and student teams.
For parents and teachers, the event was an opportunity to see how the university lives today, what educational, scientific, and international opportunities it offers, and why students feel not only supported here, but also confident in their own future.
The holiday quiz was conducted by Mariana Danyliuk, a student of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and event manager of the Center for Professional Career and Education. She was assisted by Iryna Vorobets and Vitalia Khatsevych.
The event was moderated by the director of the Educational and Scientific Center for Professional Career and Lifelong Education, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Halyna Voloshchuk.
The main news of the event was the official launch of the St. Nicholas Winter Wonders Station on Pip Ivan Mountain. This is a symbolic laboratory of goodness, located at the White Elephant Observatory, the highest point in Ukraine, where St. Nicholas works and where letters with dreams now also arrive.
The university announced that this summer, Stefanyk Open Day participants will be able to go on a thematic trip to Pip Ivan — to the Laboratory of Miracles of St. Nicholas at our observatory.
Everyone is advised to keep their participant passports – they will become your ticket to this event.
