A journey through the ages: the third edition of “Uzhhorod: The Known and the Unknown” was launched in Uzhhorod
The Uzhhorod Press Club hosted the launch of the new, third edition of the book *Uzhhorod: Known and Unknown* by the renowned archaeologist, local historian and graduate of the History Department at Uzhhorod National University, Yosyp Kobyl. The event was timed to coincide with the 195th anniversary of the birth of Teodor Legotsky – an outstanding lawyer, archaeologist, historian, museum organiser and ethnographer of Transcarpathia – whose name has become a symbol of love for his native land.
The first edition of “Uzhhorod: Known and Unknown” was published in 2003. It was issued by the Lviv-based publishing house “Svit.” The print run was 5,000 copies. Later, the book attracted the attention of Uzhhorod publishers. TDV “Patent” acquired the copyright. They recognized its cultural and educational value for the city.
Since then, the book has been reprinted three times, with further print runs planned.
The press conference was attended by Ivan Klyuchevsky. He is the director of Patent LLC. He is a representative of the publishing house that currently holds the copyright to the book. It is Patent that has ensured the book’s regular reprints in recent years, a work considered an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage.
“Yosyp Kobal’s book is a unique encyclopaedia of Uzhhorod. It doesn’t just tell a story – it lets you feel how the city is changing, yet retains its soul,” noted Ivan Klyuchevsky.
As Yosyp Kobal explained during the presentation, the reason for the new reprint was the numerous changes in the city’s historical landscape. “The city is developing, street names are changing, old monuments are disappearing, and new places are appearing. I spent several weeks walking around Uzhhorod to document these changes, because history lives in the details,” the author shared.
The new edition includes updated maps of the city and illustrations, presented as appendices so as not to disrupt the structure of the main text. The book mentions over 400 historical figures associated with the life of Uzhhorod: from architects to artists and political figures.
According to the author, the reissues were always initiated by publishers who understood the social importance of the work. After all, ‘Uzhhorod: Known and Unknown’ does not merely tell a story – the book shapes a new generation of local historians, researchers and those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of their hometown.
During the discussion, the issue of the lack of numbering for historical memorial signs in Uzhhorod was also raised – a problem which, in the opinion of those present, should have been resolved long ago.
Ivan Klyuchevsky assured those present that the publishing house has no intention of resting on its laurels: “We are convinced that this book will remain relevant for many years to come. And we hope that print runs will double in the future.” The book has currently been published in a print run of 200 copies.
The cover of the new edition features an image of the Zhupanat. This was also the case in previous versions. The Zhupanat is a historic building. It has become a symbol of Uzhhorod’s distinct identity. This choice is symbolic. Yosyp Kobali’s book is part of the city’s historical memory. It bridges the past and the present.
“Uzhhorod: Known and Unknown” is a journey through time, teaching us to see history in seemingly ordinary streets and buildings.
Oksana Kostyk, Svitlana Podolyanka,
students of the Journalism Department at Uzhhorod National University