In the Scientific and Technical Library it was launched a new cultural and educational project "Pages of History of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute". In frame of this project two meetings, devoted to patrons of our university were held February 18 and April 2.
Kyiv Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1898. A characteristic feature of Kyiv at the end of the XIX century was an active charity numerous Ukrainian industrialists, in particular the so-called "sugar barons" - Brodsky, Tereshchenko, Khanenko, Symyrenko and others. Their initiative and financial assistance played a crucial role in the organization of the higher technical school in Kyiv.
Sugar industry since the mid last century played a major role in the Ukrainian economy. More than 80% of the sugar in the Russian Empire was produced by Ukrainian plants. The Count Alexei Bobrinsky has laid the foundations of sugar industry.
Sons of A.A. Bobrinsky, together with other industrialists in Kyiv, were included in the organizing committee for the creation of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
The largest monetary contribution to the organization of a new school of Kyiv was done by Nikolai Artemyevitch Tereshchenko - 150 thousand rubles.
A large and successful family of industrialists Tereshchenko left a legacy of the city numerous architectural structures of schools, hospitals, museums, unique historical and art collections and a good memory of their charitable deeds. The founder of the outstanding dynasty - Artem Y. Tereshchenko, a native of the city Glukhov in Chernihiv, came from the Cossacks. Years of hard work helped to create, together with his sons, the huge sugar empire. Established in 1870, "Society and beet sugar refineries brothers Tereshchenko" eventually produce most of the sugar in Ukraine. A.Ya.Tereschenko sons - Nicholai, Theodore and Simon, paid much attention to the social and charitable activities. Law in the family- 80% of income was given to the construction of shelters, schools, hospitals in his native Hlukhiv, Kyiv and Moscow. Therefore, today we remember with gratitude about this unique Ukrainian family.
It was interesting to learn that one of the Tereshchenko studied at the university and was at the forefront of the aviation industry in Ukraine. Fyodor Tereshchenko son Fyodor Artemyevitch was enrolled in the KPI in 1907. The young man almost from the start of the course decided on his vocation and devoted himself to aviation. The impetus was the most likely participation in the Ballooning Circle, founded in 1905 on the initiative of the KPI professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering Nicholas A. Artemiev. There also Igor Sikorsky has begun his career. In 1909 Fyodor Tereshchenko organized on his estate in Zhytomyr an aviation workshop and subsequently produced aircraft of his own design. Airplane "Tereshchenko-5" participated in the All-Russian trade and industrial exhibition in 1913 in Kyiv.
The story of the dynasty of Ukrainian patrons was supplemented with a presentation of the new edition of the book "The first oligarch. Mikhail Tereshchenko. 1886-1956." Author of the book - Michelle Tereshchenko, a descendant of Nicholas Tereshchenko, who now lives in Ukraine and recently received a Ukrainian passport.
Another report was devoted to the first librarian of the University Library Nicholas Fedotovich Bilyashivsky. Outstanding scientist has devoted to work at the Kyiv Polytechnic two and a half years and, in fact, laid the foundations of the fundamental library. But the main contribution to the development of Bilyashivsky Scientific and Cultural Organization is the museum business in Ukraine. It was through his perseverance and creative energy we have now three great museums of Kyiv National Museum of History of Ukraine, National Art Museum and the National Museum of Ukrainian Decorative Folk Art. Nicholas Fedotovich also initiated the creation of the Kanev Nature Reserve - one of the most beautiful natural museums in Ukraine.
So, the new library project has started. It is calculated over a long period of time. In the history of our university there are many forgotten or little-known pages. It's time to open them.