Dear friends,
today I want to tell you about an outstanding person who played a huge role in the development of Ukrainian culture. Taras Shevchenko born March, 9, 1814 was a famous Ukrainian poet and writer. Shevchenko’s early life was about as rough as rough can get.
Having the unfortunate luck of being born into serfdom, then becoming a orphan at 11. Taras was almost destined for a life of slavery
Extraordinary talent as a artist
Until a amazing twist of fate happened, his lord noticed his extraordinary talent as a artist.
So Shevchenko was apprenticed and eventually a group of writers bought his freedom. Soon after he would begin to build a legacy as one of the most famous Ukrainian artists and poets.
Taras Shevchenko was a man of national pride and his works reflected that.
Taras work is given credit for promoting the growth of Ukrainian national pride. He is also considered a pioneer in the art of etching and even the modern day Ukrainian written language. Many of his poetry was influenced by Romanticism and encompassed various ideas. The work of Taras Shevchenko is still a major influence in the Ukraine and former soviet union.
One of the most influential people of Ukraine
In his home land of the Ukraine, he is widely considered to be the greatest Ukrainian national hero of all time.
This is due in big part to the strong nationalism his work emphasized. Even the Soviets recognized the Influence of his work.
Nearly 200 hundred years after his death his legacy still lives on. His work continues to be a major influence and marvel of Ukrainian national pride. There have been hundreds of monuments and memorials erected in his memory. Several Russian and Ukranian towns have been named in his memory. He has appeared on several different forms of Eastern European currency.
Taras Shevchenko is simply one of the most influential people, the world has ever seen and not to forget a true Ukrainian hero.
Poems by Taras Shevchenko in English
For you, I found a couple of poems by Taras Shevchenko in English. I hope you enjoy the poems! 🙂
Meet Krystyna, an esteemed international dating expert, blogger, and the founder of Ukrainian Dating Blog. With over 1000 articles published in English and German, she specializes in cross-cultural relationships, prevalent dating topics, and tackling romance scams.
Very good poems! Very beautiful, thank you for sharing with us.
Dear Krystyna,
It is difficult for me as a foreigner to understand how important Taras is, but I just found that the Taras Shevchenko University in Kiev is named after him
http://ua-traveling.com/en/article/taras-shevchenko-university-in-kiev
This also reminds me one great football player, Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko 🙂
Regards,
Eric
Taras Shevchenko was the Ukrainian equivalent of Patrick Henry during the Revolutionary War period here in America. We know about Henry’s fiery rhetoric, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Shevshenko railed against not only against Tsarist oppression against his people, he fought for justice and freedom for ALL Slavs.
That is why his legacy is stronger today than ever before, and why even the Soviets acknowleged him.
Think of him as the Ukrainian Patrick Henry. Just as Henry was a fiery advocate for liberty and freedom, so was Shevchenko.
Taras Shevchenko railed against serfdom and oppression, not only for fellow Ukrainians, but ALL Slavs.
He was a revolutionary like Henry, but he did it the smart way, with a pen, or a paint brush rather than bullets and bombs. H
e never gave up despite the adversity that marked his life from start to finish, that is why he is considered the hero he is today almost 200 years after his birth.
we need more Shevchenko’s in the world..