On November 14-16, 2025, Salzburg hosted the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EKV (Europäischer Kartellverband) – the European Federation of Christian Student Associations, to which the Association of Ukrainian Catholic Students “Obnova” belongs.
This was reported to RISU by the Obnova Society.
The celebration began on November 14, 2025, with an excursion to Hohensalzburg (castle in Salzburg), where participants learned about its history and the city of Salzburg. After the tour, participants visited the Salzburg Provincial Parliament (Salzburger Landtag), where they had an interesting discussion with its former president, Dr. Josef Schöchl (a member of the K.Ö.H.V. Rugia and K.S.H.V. Lodronia societies, members of the EKV).
On November 15, 2025, a joint prayer for the EKV took place during the Liturgy led by His Excellency Bishop Klaus Küng (DDr. Klaus Küng, Dr. Med. and Dr. Theol.) at the Kollegienkirche in Salzburg. After the Liturgy, speeches were given by guests of honor, led by former EKV President Jan-Christopher Wollber.
Among the guests of honor were Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein (former President of the EKV curatorial board), Mr. Otto Schweizer (Federal Chairman of the KÖL Association), Dr. Josef Schöchl (former President of the Salzburg Provincial Parliament), Prof. Dr. jur. Wolfgang Mazal (Prof. Dr. Erhard Koppensteiner, expert at Dorotheum Salzburg, curator of the Salzburg Museum). In his speech, Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein spoke about the beginnings of the EKV, about how the founders had the idea that the EKV should go beyond national borders and that we can only build Europe together, since most of the founders had experienced at least the consequences of World War II. The Prince expressed his gratitude for the work of the EKV Presidium, for their voluntary work on a united Europe, and noted that, based on Christianity, Europe and the EKV can continue to exist.
After the speeches by the guests of honor, representatives of the Federation of Ukrainian Catholic Academic and Student Associations “Obnova” were given the floor to speak and offer their congratulations. They included the first head of the renewed AUCS “Obnova” in Lviv in 1992 and the first President of the Federation “Obnova,” attorney and lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Mr. Andriy Kostyuk, the External Relations officer of the Federation “Obnova,” lawyer Dr. Sofia Kernychna, and former Vice President of Communications of the EKV, the first President of the Kyiv Association “Obnova,” Ms. Tetiana Shpaikher. Attorney Andriy Kostyuk, greeting the EKV, recalled that European values of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are civilizational achievements that must be protected so as not to be lost. “Obnova” presented the EKV with its emblem, depicting Archangel Michael, and the slogan “Renew everything in Christ.” Dr. Sofia Kernychna, presenting the Obnova’s gifts, mentioned: “as you probably know, Holy Archangel Michael is the patron saint of “Obnova”. He is the symbol of victory of good over evil, and is depicted on our emblem. Therefore, we present him to you so that he may also become your patron and protect the EKV, all European Christian Fraternities, and the whole of Europe from evil. We also offer you confections from Ukraine as an expression of our gratitude for your support of Ukraine. On your 50th jubilee, we wish you unity, continued prosperity, successful projects, many years of fruitful activity, and to be a model of a united Christian Europe”.
In the evening, a Festkommers was held, at which the federations and societies belonging to the EKV were presented. Participants sang the anthems of their countries — Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Ukraine — as well as the anthems of societies and federations and traditional student songs.
The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EKV ended on Sunday, November 16, 2025, with a Ukrainian breakfast initiated and organized by former EKV Vice President for Communications Ms. Tetiana Shpaikher.
Mr. Oleksandr Irkhin, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria, addressed the attendees with a welcoming speech. The Minister-Counsellor welcomed guests to the Ukrainian Breakfast. He congratulated the EKV on its 50th anniversary, highlighting the long-standing role of the Ukrainian student association “Obnova”. The Minister-Counsellor emphasized that Europe’s core values – peace, freedom, justice, and human dignity – are under unprecedented threat due to Russia’s aggression. For Ukraine, these values are deeply existential. Mr. Oleksandr Irkhin stressed that supporting Ukraine is not charity, but an essential investment in European security, noting that Ukraine’s defence protects the entire continent. He expressed gratitude for the humanitarian, financial, military, and political support provided by European countries and the EKV societies. The Minister-Counsellor underlined that Ukraine also contributes to Europe through its experience in resilience, technology, and defence. He reaffirmed that Ukraine’s EU integration strengthens European unity and security. He honoured the courage of Ukrainians – soldiers, doctors, teachers, volunteers – and called for continued support. The Minister-Counsellor stressed that participation of members of EKV in this “Ukrainian Breakfast” is a clear message of friendship, commitment, and shared faith in our common future. He concluded by reaffirming shared European values and urging unity, strength, and collaboration to secure a peaceful future.
Ukrainian human rights activist, winner of the Vasyl Stus and “Defender of Democracy” awards, head of the “Centre for Civil Liberties” public organization, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2022, Ms. Oleksandra Matviichuk, addressed the audience with a video message. Ms. Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer documenting war crimes, emphasizes that Russia’s long-standing impunity for atrocities committed in multiple countries has led to the current full-scale war violence in Ukraine. Her work restores names and dignity to victims, reminding the world that every life matters. She stresses that Ukrainians deeply desire peace, but true peace cannot come through occupation, which only hides the suffering while bringing torture, disappearances, rape, identity erasure, and mass graves. She illustrates this with the case of Father Stepan Padelchuk, a priest tortured to death by Russian forces for refusing to transfer his church to Moscow’s authority. Ms. Oleksandra Matviichuk concludes by insisting that ordinary people, not only states, have the power to influence history. Human dignity gives strength even in unbearable circumstances, and the defence of freedom in Ukraine contributes to a safer world for all.
Dr. Sofiya Kernychna, the External Relations officer of the Federation of Ukrainian Catholic Academic and Student Associations “Obnova”, presented the current state of the war in Ukraine in its existential and genocidal nature. The need for support in this devastating war waged by Russia against Ukraine is urgent for Ukraine and beyond, as a shield for the whole of Europe.
Mr. Andriy Kostyuk, the first President of the renewed AUCS “Obnova” in Lviv in 1992 and the first President of the Federation “Obnova”, attorney, lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the Ukrainian Catholic University, told the story of Illya Pidgainyi, a 2020 graduate of the UCU School of Law (Faculty of Social Sciences). Illya Pidgainyi, a successful lawyer, did not consider any other solution — neither evacuation, nor volunteering, nor waiting. For him, “The motive was simple: we were attacked, so we had to defend ourselves”. Illya firmly and calmly defended what he believed in, both in word and deed. He stood up for what he believed in because he felt that dignity had been violated. He calmly went against the tide. He called things by their proper names. He was concerned about what would happen at his university and what the future held for the country. Illya believed that one must take responsibility and do one's job well and with responsibility. On July 16, 2025, Illya was killed in the war with the russian occupiers.
An online statement was also issued by the former President of the Federation of Ukrainian Catholic Academic and Student Associations “Obnova”, member of the Lviv Academic “Obnova”, founder and head of the UCU Ethics-Politics-Economics program, Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyi, and director of the Obnova Charitable Foundation, Mr. Taras Kryvetskyi.
Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyi emphasized that Ukraine today defends far more than its own borders. In resisting Russia’s aggression and asserting its right to exist as a sovereign state in the international community, Ukraine also safeguards the broader democratic world from the advance of authoritarian regimes. Its struggle exposes the true cost of freedom and highlights the global stakes of resisting dictatorships that seek to reshape the international order through violence and coercion. Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyi also noted that as Ukraine seeks membership in the EU and NATO, it does so not merely to benefit from the stability, opportunities, and security these institutions provide. Ukraine comes with a profound contribution of its own: a lived commitment to the Christian and European values of human dignity, freedom, and solidarity. These are not abstract principles for Ukrainians — they are ideals for which they are willing to give their lives. By defending them, Ukraine strengthens the very foundations of Europe and the Transatlantic community. Dr. Yuriy Pidlisnyi stressed that now more than ever, we need your solidarity — so that freedom and dignity may prevail, and so that we may build a shared and blessed future.
The event concluded with speeches by Ivan Machynskyi, head of the Ukrainian community in Salzburg, and Oksana Stavru, author of books on the russian war in Ukraine.
Ms. Tetiana Shpaikher admitted that it was a great honor for her to organize the Ukrainian Breakfast and that it was very symbolic that it marked the end of the EKV's 50th anniversary celebrations. Obnova is one of the youngest members of the EKV and at the same time one of the oldest organizations belonging to the EKV. For “Obnova” and for Ukrainians in general, the support of European Christians and Europeans in general is very important, and such international events are a good opportunity to talk about the Russian war in Ukraine again and again.
On behalf of the Federation of Ukrainian Catholic Academic and Student Associations “Obnova”, we would like to express our gratitude to the Organizing Committee for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the EKV, the Secretary General of the EKV, Mr. Matthias Amrhein, the former President of the EKV, Jan-Christoph Wolber and the Presidium of the EKV Rebekka Anliker for the opportunity to speak on behalf of “Obnova” and Ukraine before the European community and for support of Ukraine during this difficult time of war.