The author of the font 'Rutenia', Shevchenko Prize laureate Vasyl Chebanik has passed away.

Ukrainian graphic artist Vasyl Chebanik has died at the age of 91

On March 13, 2025, graphic artist Vasyl Chebanik, who was born in the Chernivtsi region, passed away. He was the author of the 'Rutenia' font and received the Shevchenko Prize. Chebanik was 91 years old. This was reported by 'Hlavkom', citing a post from the National Academy of Arts on Facebook.

Vasyl Chebanik was born on August 5, 1933, in the village of Kliskivtsi, Chernivtsi region. In 1963, he graduated from the Kyiv Art Institute.

He was an Honored Artist of Ukraine and worked in the field of book graphics, font art, and bookbinding. He created artistic designs and illustrations for books. Chebanik also became a laureate of the Shevchenko Prize for the project 'Graphics of the Ukrainian Language' in 2019.

Since 2001, Vasyl Chebanik had been working on the project 'Rutenia. Graphics of the Ukrainian Language'. He was the author of the design of the ceremonial copy of the 'Constitution of Ukraine' in 2001, using the 'Rutenia' font on the cover.

The fonts of Vasyl Chebanik are used by the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, the Kyiv State Institute of Decorative Applied Arts and Design named after Mykhailo Boychuk, and the National University 'Kyiv-Mohyla Academy'.

Vasyl Chebanik emphasized that 'Rutenia' is the ideal alphabet, as each sound of the Ukrainian language corresponds to its own letter. He believed that the Ukrainian alphabet contains the state coat of arms of Ukraine and represents our country as an independent state.

It is worth noting that on Saturday, February 1, the heart of writer, journalist, playwright, and TV presenter Valerii Khaid stopped beating. Valerii Khaid owned the theater 'Club of Odesa Gentlemen' and was the vice-president of the 'World Club of Odesans'. He was 85 years old. The message states that 'the legendary KVN captain Valerii Khaid has gone forever into the history of Odesa'.

Just a year ago, Valerii Khaid's son, Yevhen, who was a well-known actor from 'Gentlemen Show', a satirical writer, and playwright, passed away. He died on January 21, 2024, at the age of 58.

Also, Yaroslav Motyka, a well-known author of monuments and memorial signs in Ukraine, has passed away.