Karazin University Celebrates Taras Shevchenko’s Birthday

On March 9, 1814, the genius of the Ukrainian people, the nation’s symbol, prominent Ukrainian poet, playwright, writer, artist and thinker Taras Shevchenko was born.

His life was full of challenges: losses and distress, despair and joy, devotion and atonement. As a man of universal talents and interests, Shevchenko left behind a huge creative legacy, which is relevant today. He loved his native land and in his works was able to portray and convey the thoughts and feelings of the people, their eternal dreams of freedom and independence.

Taras Shevchenko laid the democratic foundations for understanding the national past of the Ukrainian people, made a significant contribution to the development of the Ukrainian and world culture. He was, in particular, the founder of critical realism in the Ukrainian fine arts, his paintings, drawings, engravings truthfully and multifacetedly depicted the reality of the time.

Taras Hryhorovych’s name is known far beyond Ukraine, his works have been translated into most languages: monuments to Taras Shevchenko have been erected in countries outside Ukraine, a number of geographical objects, settlements, streets, squares, educational institutions are named after him. theaters, etc.

Among Karazin University alumni is a galaxy of outstanding word artists, laureates of the Shevchenko Prize — the highest Ukrainian award for a significant contribution to the development of culture and art. They are Oles Honchar, Oksana Ivanenko, Oleksandr Kolomiiets, Ivan Svitlychnyi, Vadym Sobko, Volodymyr Sosiura, Grigir Tyutyunnik, Yurii Shevelev, and others.