Illya Brovdiy, the oldest known living man in Ukraine, passed away in Kolchyno (Zakarpattia Oblast) on 18 January, at the age of 107 years, 127 days.
Illya Illich Brovdiy (Ukrainian: Ілля Ілліч Бровдій) was born in the village of Stanovo (Станово) within the Mukachevo Raion, part of Zakarpattia Oblast, on 13 September 1918. He completed the eighth grade at a public school in his hometown and later received his secondary education at the evening school in the village of Kolchyno. He worked as a crane operator at the Mukachevo railway station, and in 1966 became a designer at a machine-tool factory.
He began painting in 1965, and his first solo exhibition was held in 1977. As a representative of naïve art, he took part in district, regional, and republican exhibitions. Over the course of his life, he traveled to 20 countries as an artist and organized hundreds of exhibitions.
Kateryna Kots, the oldest known resident of Ukraine, passed away just two days earlier.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Illya Brovdiy during this difficult time.
