Commemorating Taras Shevchenko

     While the month of February is traditionally dedicated to Ukrainian heroines, March is dedicated to the commemoration of “the greatest Ukrainian” — artist, poet and revolutionary Taras Shevchenko (March 9, 1814-March 10, 1861). As a gifted youngster whose drawing and painting talent was discovered by his master Engelhart (Shevchenko was born a serf), he was encouraged to continue his formal education in art and became one of the best portrait painters of his era. However, he is better known for his poems and his political activities, which led to a 10-year sentence that he had to serve in the army in what is now Kazakhstan. His sentence was personally endorsed by the Czar, who added a personal note: “with prohibition to paint and write.”

    Shevchenko’s poems, some historic and patriotic, others romantic and sentimental, became popular very early. He was considered the conscience of the Ukrainian nation and was often referred to as “Bat’ko Taras” (Father Taras) even though he was very young (he died at the age of 47). A collection of his poems, “Kobzar,” became one of the most popular books and was treated on par with the Bible. Many of his poems became popular songs, sung to this day throughout Ukraine and Ukrainian communities throughout the world. Many schools, including the Ukrainian National University in Kyiv, bear his name, as do many streets and plazas throughout Ukraine. There is also a Taras Shevchenko Place not far from the Cooper Union in New York City.

    Shevchenko’s monuments are in just about every city and town throughout Ukraine and in many foreign capitals and cities, including Washington, D.C.; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Paris, France; Moscow, Russia; Warsaw, Poland; Winnipeg, Canada; and many others.

    The North Port and Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community will commemorate Taras Shevchenko this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as “the Oseredok”) in North Port. All are welcome. The event is sponsored by the Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American Clubs and Organizations headed by Roma Guran of Venice. The program will include songs by the United Choir under the direction of Lubow Dobrowolska-Ingram of Venice.
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    The monthly membership meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port and held Feb. 25 at the Oseredok, was dedicated to honoring the “Nebesna Sotnya” (Heavenly Hundred), the over 100 demonstrators killed in Kyiv by former President Yanukovych’s thugs and Russian Special Forces sharpshooters during the “Revolution of Dignity” (Nov. 23, 2013-Feb. 22, 2014).

    The business portion of the meeting included reports of officers and committee chairs. Professor Victor Lisnyczyj of North Port, chair of the club’s Scholarship Committee reported on the work of the committee, and responses to the published scholarship application on the club’s website (www. ukrainianamericanclub. com). He also announced that the traditional Scholarship Awards Luncheon at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club will take place at noon March 31, and not as previously announced.
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    The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the Oseredok.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com. 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn