Main points
- Mykhailo Poplavsky is no longer the rector of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts due to the expiration of his contract.
- Poplavsky's name has repeatedly appeared in scandals related to sexual harassment, sexism, and possible conflict of interest.
Mykhailo Poplavsky / Photo from the singer's Instagram
Until today, Mykhailo Poplavsky was the rector of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, which he was very proud of. But it's time to see new faces. Whether the singer is happy with this development of events is currently unknown.
- 1 He studied to be a machinist and became a singer
- 2 Personal life
- 3 Sex scandal and accusations of sexism
- 4 Why is Poplavsky no longer the rector?
His name often appeared in news related to students. They say that they perform with Poplavsky on the same stage and receive marks for it. In recent years, Mykhailo Mykhailovych has even been at the center of scandals about sexual harassment and sexism. 24 Channel will tell everything that is known about the activities of the former rector of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.
He studied to be a machinist, but became a singer.
Poplavsky was born in the village of Mechislavka, Kirovohrad region. After school, he went to study for a degree in “electric locomotive driver in a mine” at vocational school No. 25 in the city of Horlivka, Donetsk region.
Later, Mykhailo served in the army, and later found his place in the cultural center of the village of Velyki Troyany. Despite the fact that the artist was already the director at that time, he went to Kyiv and entered the Kyiv State Institute of Culture.
Mykhailo Poplavsky in 1968 / Photo from the artist's Instagram
In 1993, he became the youngest rector in Ukraine, having received a management position at an institution that graduated librarians and directors of rural cultural centers.
From that moment on, Poplavsky began to work on his image. He demonstrated that it was possible not to hide in the office, but to perform on stage at the same time. His first debut was with the song “Young Eagle”.
Mykhailo Poplavsky – “Young Eagle” (1995): watch the video online
His recognition gradually grew. Over the years of his activity, the ex-rector has released over 50 music videos, presented over 200 songs, and also held hundreds of concerts.
From 1993 to 2015, the man was the rector of the university, and in 2021 he was elected president of KNUKiM.
Mykhailo Poplavsky with students / Photo from Instagram
In 1997, the singer founded the all-Ukrainian children's television competition “Step to the Stars”, where children from all over Ukraine came to demonstrate their talent. Even then, there was a mandatory condition – the songs had to be only in Ukrainian.
In 2004, he launched another project, “Our Song.” Later, the program transformed into “Ukrainian Song of the Year.”
Show “Step to the Stars” / Photo from the Poplavsky website
Personal life
For some reason, the artist does not prefer to speak publicly on this topic. However, some facts from his biography are known. For example, at the age of 24, Poplavsky married a fellow villager, Lyudmila Glimbievskaya. However, the couple was married for only one year.
His second wife was also a woman named Lyudmila. To this union was born a boy, Alexander.
Mykhailo Poplavsky with his wife and son / Photo from open sources
The woman has always been in the shadow of her star husband. According to rumors, the couple divorced in 2009. Not much is known about the artist's son. Alexander has created a family and is raising a boy.
Mykhailo Poplavsky with his son / Photo from the singer's Instagram
Sex scandal and accusations of sexism
In 2005, Mikhail Mikhailovich was interviewed by Gordon. At that time, he said that he had allegedly repeatedly received statements from female students that they wanted to have a child with him. And someone even wanted to commit suicide.
I already had 5 female students come up to me and say: “Mykhailo Mykhailovych, we are graduating, but we have one request for you. We want to have a child from you.” Some wanted to throw themselves off the bridge… But I tried to make sure everyone stayed alive and happy. I arranged for them everywhere in Kyiv, some went to graduate school,
– the singer said without undue anxiety.
Mykhailo Poplavsky in an interview with Gordon (2005): watch the video online
The former rector has been repeatedly accused of sexism. One of the most high-profile incidents occurred in 2023. At one of the meetings with applicants, Poplavsky publicly humiliated a girl, criticizing her figure. Fortunately, caring people in the hall began to contradict him.
Mykhailo Poplavsky publicly insulted a girl: watch the video online
In February 2025, a former student of Kyiv National University openly accused the singer of sexual harassment. The girl published a post on social networks, where she said that she came to the reception to be given a room in the dormitory. However, this event turned out that she was allegedly taken out of Kyiv, forced to drink strong alcoholic beverages, and also tempted to have sex.
Mykhailo Poplavsky was accused of sexual harassment / Screenshot from Facebook
The girl concluded that she managed to get out of this story unscathed and did finish her studies at the university, but she does not want to remember her student years. In the comments, people asked who she was talking about, because in the post the former student did not name any names or surnames. She replied that it was Poplavsky.
Mykhailo Poplavsky was accused of sexual harassment / Screenshot from Facebook
In addition, Poplavsky's personality also figured in corruption scandals. For example, in 2005, Mykhailo Mykhailovych was in the status of a deputy. The story was that the local authorities provided a plot of land for the construction of a dormitory for students. But for some reason, a residential complex suddenly appeared there. One of the developers was the rector, and the sale of apartments took place “through the university.” Poplavsky himself did not admit his involvement.
Mykhailo Poplavsky in a corruption scandal: watch the video online
Why is Poplavsky no longer the rector?
This news became known today, February 10. It turned out that the contract of the rector of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Mykhailo Poplavsky, has expired.
The head of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, also drew attention to this, noting that “when one person heads a university for more than three decades, this goes beyond the limits of healthy managerial turnover.”
Lisovyi said that in April 2023, Poplavsky publicly stated the importance of having a new head at the university. Therefore, now is the time to confirm these words.
The head of the Ministry of Education and Science also mentioned that over the years the name of the head of this higher education institution has repeatedly appeared in public materials regarding allegations of harassment . There are also questions about a possible conflict of interest: combining the management of a state university and the activities of a related private educational institution.
Poplavsky himself has not yet publicly commented on this event.