FROM TRADITION TO INNOVATION: THE TRANSFORMATION OF UNIVERSITY RITUALS IN THE BALTIC REGION AND THE UKRAINIAN CONTEXT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/NPU-VOU.2025.4(99).20Keywords:
academic rituals, university culture, Baltic region, Ukraine, transformation, tradition and innovation, heraldic symbolism, public history, cultural diplomacy, collective memoryAbstract
The article examines the transformation of university rituals as a significant component of academic culture in the Baltic region and Ukraine. A comparative analysis is conducted between historical forms of academic ceremonies, rooted in the early modern period, and their contemporary modifications, which reflect the dynamics of globalization and cultural integration. Particular attention is paid to the interplay between traditional elements – such as solemn initiations, heraldic symbols, and ceremonial practices– and innovative formats, including science festivals, public lectures, and interactive cultural events. The study demonstrates that academic rituals not only serve to sanctify educational achievements but also function as instruments of collective memory, cultural diplomacy, and national identity formation. The comparison of Baltic and Ukrainian experiences reveals both common features and distinctive differences shaped by historical contexts and current social challenges. Ultimately, academic rituals emerge as a dynamic space of innovation, capable of bridging tradition and modernity in the development of a new model of university culture.
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