An illustrative book exhibition, devoted to the life and work of Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861), runs in the National Library (3rd floor, circular corridor), from 27 February to 27 March.
The exhibition consists of four sections: "The Legacy of Taras Shevchenko", "The Artist Taras Shevchenko", "Taras Shevchenko and the Belarusian Culture" and "Study of Shevchenko". About 50 publications are on display: collections, individual works, publications about the writer’s life and work in the Ukrainian, Belarusian and Russian languages, and illustrative material. Many commemorative editions are presented. Books timed to the 200th anniversary of the birth of "the Great Kobzar" are marked with the official emblem of the festival.
The first section presents a commemorative six-volume edition of the “Complete Works of Taras Shevchenko” (Kyiv, 1963–1964) with a dedicatory inscription in the Ukrainian language. The collection includes poetry, drama and prose; diaries, autobiography, articles, letters and business papers. A unique facsimile edition of the handwritten collection of poems by Taras Shevchenko, which entered the history of literature under the name “The Big Book”, is also on display. Most of the works are written by Shevchenko, but some poems are drafts, rewritten by the poet's friends. All these lists were read and corrected by the author.
The illustrated edition of the poem “Haydamaky”, the first Ukrainian historical novel in verse, impresses with original print and design. Stunning illustrations are made Ukrainian painter and graphic artist, ethnographer, architect and teacher, Athanasius Slastsion (Ukr. Сластіон Опанас Георгійович). The folio was published in Leipzig, 1919.
Taras Shevchenko was one of the most outstanding masters of Ukrainian painting and graphic arts, the founder of Ukrainian critical realism. He is the author of more than 1000 art works, mostly landscapes, portraits and genre paintings. “The Artist Taras Shevchenko" section presents an etchings cycle "Picturesque Ukraine", which featured the story and life of the Ukrainian people and the nature of their native land; as well as publications on the identity of Taras Shevchenko in the visual arts.
Taras Shevchenko was interested in the Belarusian literature and folklore, and he wrote about the life of Belarusian serfs in the story "Muzyka." His poetry influenced Belarusian writers and poets Frantisek Bogushevich, Adam Hurynovich, Yanka Luchina and others. The Ukrainian poet’s creativity fascinated and inspired Belarusian classics Maxim Bogdanovich, Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas. Źmitrok Biadula, Kondrat Krapiva, Pyatrus Brouka and other Belarusian writers turned to his works. The first edition of the "Kobzar", which was published in 1939 in the BSSR State Publishing House and edited by Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, is of particular value for Belarusian readers. The publication of the poem "Katerina" was prepared on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of Taras Shevchenko. Translation from Ukrainian language is made by Belarusian poet and translator Fedor Chernyshevich, edited by Yanka Kupala (Vilnius: Publishing house "Polochanin", 1911 (Typography of M. Kuchta).
Materials on the poet and artist’s life and work are placed in the section Study of Shevchenko”.
The Great Kobzar’s writing is warmed with fervent love for the motherland. It has been over 200 years since the birth of the glorious son of the Ukrainian people, and his poetry still lives live among us.
The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by library card or by ticket of the library's social and cultural center. Information and tickets may be obtained at the registration desk.
Contact: (+375 17) 293 29 80.
Gallery and Exhibition Activity Department
