Taras Shevchenko

From 23 January to 9 July, in the National Library of Belarus there runs a book exhibition ”To the glory of our glorious Ukraine” timed to the 200th birth anniversary of Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861).

The offered exhibition consists of three thematic sections: “The legacy of Taras Shevchenko”, “Shevchenko the artist” and “The study of Shevchenko”. It includes about 200 editions: collections of selected works, separate editions, literature about the writer’s life and creative career and various illustrations.

The first exhibition section features 6 volumes of the twelve-volume Complete Works of Taras Shevchenko (Kiev, 2001) which contain the complete set of his presently known literary heritage: poetry, drama and prose; a diary, an autobiography, articles, archeological notes, records of folklore, letters and official papers. The edition includes as well sketches and rough drafts of literary works the classic of Ukrainian literature conceived but had never written.

Taras Shevchenko was interested in Belarusian literature and folklore, and one of his short stories Musyka is about Belarusian peasants living in serfdom. His poetry had influenced the writing of Belarusian poets Frantishak Bogushevich, Adam Gurinovich, Yanka Luchina and others. The creativity of the Ukrainian poet enchanted and inspired Belarusian classics Maxim Bogdanovich, Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas. His works attracted Zmitrok Byadulya, Kandrat Krapiva, Pyatrus Brovka and other Belarusian writers.

The first Belarusian edition of his Kobzar published in 1939 by the BSSR State Publishing House under the editorship of Y. Kupala and Y. Kolas is especially valuable for Belarusian readers. It includes works by Taras Shevchenko translated into Belarusian by Y. Kupala. Y. Kolas, P. Brovka, A. Kuleshov, P. Glebka and K. Krapiva.

Taras Shevchenko was one of the most outstanding masters of Ukrainian painting and graphic art, the founder of Ukrainian critical realism. He created more than 1 000 artworks, mainly landscapes, portraits and genre drawings. Taras Shevchenko was awarded a rank of academician in engraving. The section “Shevchenko the artist” presents a series of etchings The Picturesque Ukraine devoted to the history and everyday life of the Ukrainians and the nature of his motherland, as well as albums of reproductions and books about the role of Shevchenko in Ukrainian fine arts.

Documents about the life and creative career of the Ukrainian poet and artist are on display at the exhibition section “The study of Shevchenko”.

The Great Kobzar’s writing is full of a passionate love of his Motherland. Two hundred years have passed from the date of birth of the glorious son of the Ukrainian people, but his Word still lives among us.