History, memory, and statehood: nominees for the Second National Forum for Talented Youth visited Baturyn and learned about Count Rozumovsky
Nominees in the ‘Architects of Statehood’ category (law, history) of the Second National Forum of Talented Youth spent a day in Baturyn: at the ‘Hetman’s Capital’ National Historical and Cultural Reserve and the Palace of Hetman Kyrylo Rozumovsky. This is the fourth event in a programme of special exclusive gifts organised by the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports and its partners for the Forum’s nominees throughout 2026.
Participants studied the history of Ukrainian statehood, spoke with Count Gregor Rozumovsky, a direct descendant of the Hetman family, learnt the social etiquette of the Enlightenment era, and took part in a waltz masterclass. For the young people, this served as an introduction to Baturyn as one of the centres of Ukrainian state tradition, memory, and political culture.
The day began at Hetman’s Glory Square. The participants were welcomed by Tetiana Kerbut, director of the National Historical and Cultural Reserve ‘Hetman’s Capital’. The group visited the Architectural and Memorial Complex ‘Citadel of the Baturyn Fortress’, the Church of the Resurrection and the crypt containing the remains of Hetman Kyrylo Rozumovsky.
The nominees explored the grounds and architecture of Hetman Kyrylo Rozumovsky’s Palace. The participants entered the palace to the strains of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, where they were met by Count Gregor Rozumovsky, a descendant of the Rozumovsky family.
At the Palace, participants learnt about the legacy of the Rozumovsky dynasty, historical memory and the recurrence of imperial narratives across the centuries. A conversation with Count Gregor Rozumovsky gave the young people the opportunity to view Ukrainian history through the lens of family memory, the European context, and the experience of the struggle for independence.
A separate part of the programme was the masterclass “The Code of Secular Behaviour: The Art of Court Etiquette” in the Palace’s Antique Hall. Oleksandr Alfyorov, head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, gave a lecture on the Cossacks and the world of 18th-century etiquette. Oleksandr Kotolup helped participants master the rules of greeting, table manners, and the etiquette of the Enlightenment era.
A dinner with Count Gregor Rozumovsky provided a forum for discussion on Ukrainian history, Europe, freedom, responsibility, and the role of young people in the development of the state. The day concluded in the Hetman’s Hall with a masterclass in the classical waltz led by choreographer Vitalii Zagoruiko.
For the participants, the visit became an informal history lesson, one that would be difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom setting. Danylo Bega, a student at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, noted that the conversation with Count Rozumovsky provided an opportunity to draw parallels between the past and the present:
Sofia Stefanyshyn, a participant in the tour, noted that such events help young people reclaim their right to their own historical memory:
For the Fund of the President of Ukraine, such visits form part of its efforts to retain human capital in Ukraine. Young people who excel in education, science, culture, and civic life need to see environments where they can learn, develop, find role models, and participate in the nation’s development.
The visit to Baturyn continued a series of special events for the nominees of the Second National Forum of Talented Youth. The first to receive their gift were the nominees in the ‘Power of Words’ category: they visited the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre. The second event was a tour of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine for nominees in the ‘Science of Victory’ and ‘Code of the Future’ categories. The third visit took place at the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine for nominees in the ‘Noospheric Breakthrough’ category.
We would like to thank all the participants in the tour: Oleg Kovalenko, Bohdan Kubay, Danylo Bezi, Yegor Vorobyov, Vitaliy Paliy, Anna Kabatsa, Bohdana Paduchak, Sofiia Stefanyshyn, Sara Yelyzaveta Kichkovska, Veronika Nosovych, Oleksandra Yareshchenko, Daryna Kryachko, Olena Bondaruk and Maria Babulevych.
The Fund of the President of Ukraine extends its gratitude to Count Gregor Rozumovsky, the team at the Palace of Hetman Kyrylo Rozumovsky, the National Historical and Cultural Reserve ‘Hetman’s Capital’ and Tetiana Kerbut, the Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance Oleksandr Alfyorov, the Figaro catering team and Oleksandr Kotolup, the musicians led by Pavlo Kaurov, choreographer Vitalii Zagoruik, and everyone who helped organise the day in Baturyn.
The Second National Forum of Talented Youth, as well as the gift programme, were supported by JSC ‘Ukrgasbank’ (UGB), the ‘BGV’ Charitable Foundation, the Hepatica Foundation, Nestlé in Ukraine and the ‘MHP-Gromadi’ Charitable Foundation.
Background
The Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports is a state institution designed to ensure the development and systematic support of talented young Ukrainians in order to restore and realise human potential and strengthen Ukraine’s leadership positions in the world.
The Fund launched the annual National Forum of Talented Youth as a platform to recognise the achievements of young Ukrainians at the state level, bring together a community of talented individuals, and demonstrate real opportunities for professional fulfilment in Ukraine.
The second National Forum of Talented Youth took place on 23 January 2026 in Kyiv and brought together over 600 participants: winners of international and national academic competitions, participants in WRO 2025, young people with the highest results in the National Multidisciplinary Test, medallists from the 2025 Youth Olympic Games, and young scientists.
