Edmonton Shevchenko Event 2013

Can you imagine telling your child, or any child for that matter, to stop being artistic? To stop drawing, to stop painting, to stop versifying?  Can you imagine your child being held in serfdom for years - picking up after the "boss" and polishing shoes, folding undergarments for a grown man?  

This was the experience of the little boy who was Taras Hryhorievych Shevchenko.  Born in 1814, and left an orphan by the early passing of his parents, he was caught in the spiral of serfdom.  He was a slave.  A little boy, a slave.  

In today's terms, his childhood was stolen by a system of serfdom he had no hope of escaping.  But he did.  Moments of benevolent care made it possible for him to draw, to paint, to rhyme - and somehow his brilliance caught the attention of a person who could rescue him from a life of servitude.  

He was bought out of serfdom while a student at the St. Petersburg Academy of Art - a serf under the Russian Empire - freed by friends and patrons who saw the huge potential of his genius.  He was a romantic, reveling in the history and folklore of his ancestry, caught in nostalgia, but urged by contemporary events to a more somber portrayal of Ukrainian History.  For this he was forced into exile and compulsory military service.  His crime?  To write the true stories of his people, he wrote about the relationship of the ruling empire and oppression of the land and people of his ancestry.  

Forbidden to write, what is an artist to do?  Trapped by circumstances, his creative juices treated historical and moral issues which resonate in the Ukrainian world today.  They resonate as human rights issues the world over.  The resonate for women, for children and for politicians.   

The Ukrainian Music Society of Alberta and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Edmonton Branch invite you to the Shevchenko Concert on Sunday, March 10 at 2:30 PM at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex, 9615-153 Ave. Edmonton. 

Tickets may be purchased at Ukrainian Social Services - 11717-97 Street or 780-471-4477

Meest - 10834-97 Street - or 780-424-1777

Orbit - 10219-97 Street or 780-422-5693

Shevchenko Bi-Centennial 1814-2014

uccab.ca

Every culture has its heroes.  They represent the highest ideals, the dreams of the common people.  Heroes struggle to overcome challenges we all face, and rise to a new plateau of understanding - rising above human experience and encouraging us to aspire to their heights.

Ukrainians have such a hero in the figure of Taras Shevchenko.  The bicentennial of his birth in 1814 is an event of exceptional nationwide importance.  This is perhaps even more so for the Ukrainian community beyond the borders of their ancestral homeland.  His creative legacy, the literary and philosophical underpinnings are note worthy.  But the manner in which his work has spurred the development of Ukrainian social and cultural thought in a European and global sense is something special to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate. His literary contribution to modern Ukrainian literature is huge!  Some believe it has shaped the trajectory of modern Ukrainian language!  The true genius of Taras Shevchenko is constantly being re-appreciated.  His Kobzar, the writings, poetry have been translated into the major languages of the world.  An appreciative world  audience considers him one of the greatest humanist writers.  He is also one of the most outstanding realist painters in the mid 19 century Ukrainian and Russian art.

It will soon be time to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko's birth, in March 2014.  It is exciting to consider what his creative legacy will bring to the 21 century of Ukrainian diasporan thought!

Calgary is invited to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Annual TARAS SHEVCHENKO CONCERT this March 10, 2013 at Assumption Church Hall - check for details soon.


But in the meanwhile, you can check these sites for more about Taras Shevchenko - Bard of Ukraine.

Visit the Taras Shevchenko museum in Toronto through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ShevchenkoMuseum


Calgary's young people involved Ukrainian Youth Association CYM has presented lovely Shevchenko themed items recently -check this Youtube video of Shevchenko's Kateryna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK2vkjXd3FQ