Palacký University Olomouc, in cooperation with Paměť národa (Memory of the Nation), is launching a public donation campaign to help Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. One of Ukraine's most prestigious universities has appealed to the University in Olomouc, requesting a generator to enable it to continue teaching and research during the current freezing winter, when Ukraine is facing attacks on its energy infrastructure by Russia. The generator is expected to be sent to Kyiv in the coming days.
Universities have always stood for knowledge, freedom, and responsibility in society.
Today, they have another opportunity to live up to these values.
Ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are depriving millions of people of electricity, heat, and basic security. This reality also affects academic institutions—places that are crucial for maintaining education, critical thinking, and social resilience in times of crisis.
Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv, one of Ukraine's most important universities, has officially approached Palacký University Olomouc with a request for help.
Palacký University, in cooperation with Paměť národa (Memory of the Nation), is therefore launching a donation campaign to purchase a KJ POWER KJA110 (110 kVA) diesel generator, which will enable teaching, research, and the basic functioning of the university in Kyiv to continue even during power outages and under extremely difficult conditions.
The university as a pillar of resilience
Despite blackouts, evacuations to shelters, and daily uncertainty, Kyiv University continues to teach, conduct research, and provide assistance. The university serves as a safe and stable environment not only for students and teachers, but also for the wider community.
It is a place where psychological support is provided, where the continuity of education is maintained, and where the future of a country defending itself against aggression is being prepared.
However, even the strongest institutions cannot cope with extreme stress without support. We are therefore facing a clear challenge today: to help our colleagues who defend the same values as we do, only in unimaginably more difficult conditions.
A call to the academic community – without borders
This collection was launched on the initiative of Palacký University Olomouc, in cooperation with Paměť národa (Memory of the Nation). At the same time, it is an open call to the entire academic community and all university communities – students, teachers, employees, and other universities in Czechia and abroad.
Because academic solidarity knows no borders. And because the help of one university, multiplied by the support of others, has real power.
The goal is to raise funds for specific, immediately usable aid – a generator that can be sent to Kyiv in the coming days through Paměť národa.
Every contribution, large or small, is an expression of solidarity and responsibility.
Together, we can help ensure that education, research, and human values survive even in times of war.
Let's show that we are not indifferent to the fate of our colleagues!
POST BELLUM
Ukraine is bleeding. We don't have to just passively watch the injustice and aggression our friends are facing because they decided to share our values of freedom and democracy. For almost four years now, we've been buying protective and medical supplies and doing everything we can to get them to Ukraine as quickly as possible and to the places where they're most needed. Thousands of vests and helmets from us are being used by defenders on the front lines, and many tons of medical supplies are saving lives. We also supply fire trucks, ambulances, generators, drones, and optical equipment. The war is still going on. Ukrainian heroes are fighting and still need supplies to defend their country. Please, let us persevere as well. Our own experience with war and totalitarianism in the 20th century compels us to help Ukraine.
UPDATE: Due to the desperate energy situation in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks, we are planning to send another truck loaded with generators. Last week, we delivered 36generators to Termopil, Poltava, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv. After another wave of Russian bombing, Ukraine, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha, requested urgent assistance in resolving the energy situation. Therefore, another truck with a load of generators will leave this week to help hospitals and other facilities. Please support our efforts with an extraordinary additional donation.
We purchase the generators in the Czech Republic from our long-term partner Hahn & Sohn, who, thanks to the large volume (we have delivered more than 480 generators to Ukraine since the beginning of the war) and their heart in the right place, provides products at a minimum discount of 20-35% off regular prices. Over the next week, we will transport 49 generators of various capacities, from medium to large, including one with a huge capacity of 600 kW (Petbow CD563S).
Example: A 12 kW generator, which we are sending to a school in Kharkiv, normally costs CZK 137,000, but the price for the UA collection is CZK 90,000. A giant generator, which will power an entire hospital, normally sells for CZK 900,000, but the price for us is CZK 390,000.
In 2019, the non-profit organization Post Bellum established a branch in Lviv with the aim of recording the memories of eyewitnesses for the Memory of Nations archive. Our colleagues in Ukraine have recorded dozens of stories, mainly from the period of Stalinist repression, dissidents, and political prisoners. After the outbreak of the conflict, they asked us for help. We couldn't refuse. Thanks to your support, we have already delivered thousands of bulletproof vests and helmets, tons of medical supplies and observation optics, and, last but not least, fully equipped ambulances and fire trucks to the defenders of Ukraine. Aid to Ukraine has a tangible impact—our collection has demonstrably saved dozens of lives. It also has symbolic significance—the victims of aggression know that they are not alone. All of the resources sent are non-lethal in nature.
All materials needed have been consulted with experts from the Army of the Czech Republic. The recipients of our aid are predominantly frontline fighters, members of special forces units. The assistance is implemented through the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic. Representatives of the Czech Embassy in Kyiv then oversee the correct use and distribution of the material to those in need.
In cooperation with the Donio portal and, above all, six thousand generous donors, we managed to collect funds for equipment of two field hospitals that play a vital role in saving the lives of wounded soldiers.
Together with the general public, we remind ourselves that the war in Ukraine is still on and that we must not be indifferent. On February 23, 2025, together with the organizations People in Need, Million Moments for democracy and the European Congress of Ukrainians we organized a rally for the 3rd anniversary of the war. The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, also spoke at the Old Town Square.
On the evening of August 20, 2024, we organized a commemorative event called "Go Home, Ivan" for the first time in the Boris Nemtsov Park with the same organizations. We recalled the time when Soviet aggression also affected us. We continue the tradition, in 2025 the event "Go Home, Ivan" took place on August 21 at the same place in front of the Russian Embassy. The band Rybičky 48 played at the event.
You can also contribute to the charitable fund with a direct payment to the donations account: 123-6318620207/0100 (for donations from abroad: IBAN: CZ 7601000001236318620207, BIC / SWIFT code: KOMBCZPPXXX). Contact: dary@pametnaroda.cz
