Karazin Community Honors the 155th Anniversary of the Birth of Lesia Ukrainka

On 25 February, Ukraine marks the 155th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding poet, playwright, translator, and thinker Lesia Ukrainka. Her work has become a moral and intellectual compass for generations of Ukrainians, and the power of her words resonates with particular relevance today.

“No, I am alive, I shall live forever!
I carry in my heart what never dies,”

Through the years, Lesia Ukrainka speaks to us through the words of Mavka, the heroine of Forest Song — lines that proved prophetic for the poet herself, who carried in her heart the fire of poetry and the fire of love. These words have become a symbol of resilience, inner freedom, and spiritual strength — qualities that defined not only her творчість but also her life path.

Lesia Ukrainka was a thinker who challenged imperial narratives, affirmed the European dimension of Ukrainian literature, and thought in terms of freedom, dignity, and responsibility. Her dramaturgy — from Cassandra to Forest Song — offers profound philosophical reflections on choice, strength of spirit, and the price of truth.

For the university community, Lesia Ukrainka stands as an example of the power of education, the importance of self-education, and cultural openness to the world. She mastered several languages, translated world classics, possessed deep knowledge of history and philosophy—and at the same time created a modern Ukrainian literature that remains relevant today.

One hundred and fifty-five years on, her word remains alive — in scholarly research, university classrooms, public discussions, and the hearts of Ukrainians. It speaks to the present. To faith despite circumstances. To culture as a space of freedom. To the strength of spirit that prevails.