Oleg Kirichok Ukrainian heraldist, phalerist Date of Birth: 19.09.1962 Country: Ukraine

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in Arts and Design
3. Football Involvement
4. Falerisitcs
5. Heraldry
6. Publications

Early Life and Education

Oleg Igorovich Kirychokwas born on September 19, 1962, in Donetsk, Ukraine. He obtained a degree in civil engineering from the Makievka Civil Engineering Institute in 1986.

Career in Arts and Design

From 1989 onwards, Kirychok became involved in the design of logos, emblems, and items related to the genre of faleristics. In 1990, he joined the firm "Interkhobbiteknika" as a senior specialist, and in 1992, he worked for "Interhobbiexpo." He received the "Golden Scythian" award in 2000 for his contributions to the region's spiritual upbringing.

Football Involvement

Beginning in 1997, Kirychok served as press attaché for FC Metalurh Donetsk. He designed the emblem for the club, as well as jubilee medals and badges for FC Shakhtar Donetsk. He also coached a football section and a mini-football club at the DSFMSh No. 17, leading his team to several championship victories.

Falerisitcs

Kirychok became a member of the All-Union Association of Faleris Clubs in 1989, working as an artist-designer for faleristic items. He amassed a vast collection of badges dedicated to FC Shakhtar Donetsk, with a collecting experience of over 38 years. He was the author of more than 150 football-related badges, including the commemorative badge for FC Shakhtar's 60th anniversary.

Heraldry

Kirychok became actively involved in the development of coats of arms from 1994 onwards. He was a founding member of the "Heraldic Society of Southeast Ukraine" and held membership in several prestigious heraldic organizations. He designed a significant number of rural coats of arms for the Donetsk region, making it the region with the most rural coats of arms in Ukraine.

Kirychok's approach to heraldry was guided by a centralized concept. He used the French shield as a basis and incorporated Greek symbols in coats of arms for settlements with significant Greek populations. Meander patterns were frequently employed as elements of shield division.

Publications

Kirychok published numerous articles on heraldry in various publications, including the journal "Mercury," the newspapers "Komsomolskaya Pravda," "Zhizn," "Nash Dom," "Donetschina," and "Salon Dona i Basa."