T.G. Shevchenko Celebration

children, current events, nonfiction, poetry, , 16 Comments

Two photos from our recent gathering honouring the Ukrainian poet T.G. Shevchenko (1814-1861). Schevchenko who knew imprisonment at the hands of the Russians, wrote about his love of country, the resilience of his nation, and the oppression of Russia. His publications have been banned by Tsars. He remains a symbol of hope and peace for the Ukrainian people.

Ukrainian children and youth recited Shevchenko’s poems proudly and by heart, wearing their traditional embroidered shirts. A very moving day.

Taras Schevcheko’s words ring true today:

When I die,
let me rest, let me lie
amidst Ukraine’s broad steppes.
Let me see
the endless fields and steep slopes
I hold so dear.
Let me hear
the Dnipro’s great roar.
And when the blood
of Ukraine’s foes flows
into the blue waters of the sea,
that’s when I’ll forget
the fields and hills
and leave it all
and pray to God.
Until then, I know no God.
So bury me, rise up,
and break your chains.
Water your freedom
with the blood of oppressors.
And then remember me
with gentle whispers
and kind words
in the great family
of the newly free.

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Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

16 thoughts on “T.G. Shevchenko Celebration”

  4. Thank you for sharing this VJ. I did not know of this poet. It is good to see that the children are involved in remembering this distinguished poet and the history, which sadly, they are living today.

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