Today, on September 24, 2015, the presentation of Ivan Franko International Prize was held in T. Shevchenko Kyiv National University.

The Prize was established by Ivan Franko International Fund, which was created in June 2015 at the initiative of the grandson of the Great Kamenyar – Roland Franko.

The Board of the Fund includes both Ukrainian and foreign scientists from London, Vienna, Munich, Warsaw and Siedlce.

As told at the press conference by Chairman of the Board of the Fund, Roland Franko, the purpose of the organization is to popularize and facilitate comprehensive study of creative, scientific, social activities of Ivan Franko and encourage scientists from around the world to conduct active humanitarian researches in the sphere of social sciences and Ukrainian studies.

“We have created the International Fund for popularization of Franko not only in Ukraine but also in the world. Our plans are far-reaching. In addition, 2016 is a jubilee anniversary: the 160^th anniversary of the birth and the 100^th anniversary of the death of Ivan Franko”, – said Roland Franko.

Vice-rector of Ivan Franko Lviv National University, Yaroslav Harasym, said, “Franko was well aware of the latest achievements of the then humanities, therefore, the Prize must respond to the emergence of new, iconic researches in the social and humanitarian spheres of modernity.”

During the presentation of the Prize, Director of the Fund, Ihor Kurus, stated that every year on August 27, on the birthday of Ivan Franko, there would be a solemn rewarding of winners. The International Jury will be formed of domestic and foreign scientists who will choose the winners in two nominations – for significant personal contribution to the development of social sciences and for contribution to the development of Ukrainian studies. Scientists from all over the world who work in the sphere of social sciences and Ukrainian studies may be eligible for winning Ivan Franko International Prize.

Ihor Kurus has also reported that the Prize fund is formed by charitable donations of supporters of Ivan Franko`s scientific legacy and is about 500 thousand UAH as for today.

The presentation was also attended by Vitalii Shevchenko, journalist, writer, people`s deputy of Ukraine of II-IV convocations, member of the Board of the Fund; Ivan Drach, Hero of Ukraine, poet, playwright, screenwriter, member of the Board of the Fund; Mykhailo Shalata, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Professor of Ivan Franko Drohobych State Pedagogical University, member of the Board of the Fund.
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Ivan Franko International Fund is a non-governmental charitable organization. The Fund aims to support the development of Ukrainian studies and social sciences, promotion and popularization of scientific and creative heritage of Ivan Franko. The primary and the main objective of the Fund is establishment and implementation of Ivan Franko International Prize and promotion of its international recognition.

Ivan Franko International Prize is an honorary recognition of scientific discoveries, significant achievements and considerable services of scientists in the sphere social sciences and Ukrainian studies. The main criterion for the selection of nominees for the Prize is an exceptional professional competence in their field of study and international level of academic achievements regardless of their gender, religious preference or nationality. The Prize is awarded for significant contribution to the development of social sciences, for contribution to the development of Ukrainian studies, outstanding achievements in these fields of science, specific special discovery, research or outstanding work that have been published or achieved in the previous year.