All-Ukrainian Forum “Meaning as a Resource in Wartime: A Logotherapeutic Perspective”. Ivano-Frankivsk

Author: Olha Samara, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the National University Odesa Law Academy, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist

9 September 2025 became a significant date for Ukraine’s existential community. King Danylo University hosted the All-Ukrainian Forum with international participation, “Meaning as a Resource in Wartime: A Logotherapeutic Perspective”. Inspired by the National Association of Logotherapists of Ukraine (NALU) and supported by Timo Purjo, a mentor to Ukrainian Logotherapists, the event brought together researchers, practitioners and students in a hybrid format.

The search for sources of support ran through the entire forum. War acts not only as a mechanism of physical destruction but also as a total disintegrator of time, destroying the individual’s existential resource—the NOW—and disrupting the continuity of being. The psyche becomes fragmented, manifesting either in remaining trapped in a traumatic past through intrusive memories and the emotional pain of loss, or in exhaustion in the form of anticipatory anxiety, expressed through catastrophic expectations of the future. This gives rise to the phenomenon of ‘postponed life syndrome’, in which the present is reduced to an existence of passively waiting for the conflict to end.

In this context, Logotherapy, as the science of meaning and the spiritual dimensions of existence, moves from a theoretical paradigm to a vital imperative, serving as an instrument for restoring agency. It emphasises the realisation of the will to meaning in the circumstances at hand, providing the client with a noetic source of support that compensates for the destruction of stable external systems. The logotherapeutic approach supports the transformation of suffering into a resource for living and of fear into conscious, responsible action in the present moment. Meaning thus becomes a force that integrates fragmented time, enabling not only survival but also a life of quality despite the destructive consequences of war.

The forum programme impressed participants with its diversity and depth, vividly demonstrating how powerfully Logotherapy is becoming integrated into different areas of life. Participants were able to explore a wide range of issues spanning several key dimensions. The research strand extended from a foundational presentation on the power of the human spirit to applied studies of the neurobiological aspects of recovery and resilience. Topics included work with people in crisis, particularly support for military families, help for internally displaced people, and psychological support for those released from captivity. A separate strand devoted to the spiritual aspects of recovery highlighted the critical importance of this resource for the nation’s post-traumatic growth.

The forum’s high standing was reflected in its scholarly representation, bringing together leading members of Ukraine’s academic community and European experts. Timo Purjo, Doctor of Philosophy and President of the Viktor Frankl Institute Finland, set the tone for the academic discussion. The event’s fundamental theoretical grounding was provided by leading Doctors of Psychological Sciences: Nataliia Saveliuk, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University; Svitlana Yalanska, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Social Work at Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University; and Iryna Burlakova, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University.

The event’s research potential was substantially strengthened by the participation of a constellation of Candidates of Psychological Sciences who combined profound academic knowledge with applied practice. Olha Samara, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the National University Odesa Law Academy, and Olena Khalyk, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology at King Danylo University, shared their practical experience and research.

The partnership between the host institution and the professional association formed a powerful organisational and intellectual core for the event. Oleksandra Pytliuk-Smerechynska, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at King Danylo University, ably represented the host university’s scholarly tradition, while Nataliia Khmelova, co-founder and President of the National Association of Logotherapists of Ukraine (NALU), was a key partner from the professional community. The participation of Vedrana Grgić from Croatia, a Logotherapist and master storyteller, brought a distinctive international character and practical depth, demonstrating how narrative practices can become a resource for healing. This synergistic combination of speakers created a unique space of trust and professionalism.

The practical component, particularly the series of workshops, was especially valuable to participants. It was a space of professional synergy in which different methods served a shared purpose.

In this context, as a co-organiser representing the National University Odesa Law Academy and the Sovunia Psychological Studio, I valued the opportunity to present the workshop “Living Life in Its Own Time”. Together with colleagues, we explored effective strategies for working with ‘postponed life’, learning to reclaim our right to the present moment. Yet this was just one piece in the larger picture of the forum’s practical work, which ranged from stabilisation to profound meaning-making.

The most important formal outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between King Danylo University and the National Association of Logotherapists of Ukraine. It opens new horizons for joint research, educational projects and the development of the method in Ukraine.

The forum ended on an especially warm, almost festive note. Participants took part in a charity raffle, with all ticket proceeds contributing to repairs and equipment for a van serving an unmanned aerial systems unit. Dozens of gifts were raffled, each carrying its own story and value.

Ukrainian books aroused particular enthusiasm—from works of fiction to documentary accounts, moving diaries and wartime notes preserving the voices of people who have experienced the current war or the tragedies of the past.

Charming gifts from Finland, including symbolic souvenirs and Moomin books, added a bright international connection to the event: a gentle bridge of support from a country where wisdom, friendship and care are almost a national ethic. This raffle became not only a way to help but also a moment of shared joy, bringing hearts closer together. Human relationships, the bright eyes of students and discussions during coffee breaks—even over Zoom!—all created a sense of unity. The forum showed that Ukrainian Logotherapy is alive, developing and ready to offer a worthy response to the challenges of our time.