Written by The monument dedication for Taras Shevchenko was held 55 Years ago, on June 27th 1964.
Taras Shevchenko was a Ukrainian poet and literary leader for the people, a man who wrote about the struggle and the hope for freedom, and a man with the perseverance that we all honor and aspire to.
It’s easy today to take for granted our liberty, but when we read his lyrics we are reminded of the importance of freedom. We feel his desperation, the persecution of his voice, and his deep desire to rise above it all, and with a never ending hope for a future life of freedom for Ukraine.
His words are powerful, inspirational, and enduring. We feel his dedication to a land, to a hope, and to the dream of freedom.
On this day let’s celebrate his words that inspire generations of people in Ukraine, and throughout the world. Here is one of Taras Shevchenko’s most famous poems.
Testament
“When I am dead, bury me
In my beloved Ukraine,
My tomb upon a grave mound high
Amid the spreading plain,
So that the fields, the boundless steppes,
The Dnieper’s plunging shore
My eyes could see, my ears could hear
The mighty river roar.
When from Ukraine the Dnieper bears
Into the deep blue sea
The blood of foes … then will I leave
These hills and fertile fields —
I’ll leave them all and fly away
To the abode of God,
And then I’ll pray …. But till that day
I nothing know of God.
Oh bury me, then rise ye up
And break your heavy chains
And water with the tyrants’ blood
The freedom you have gained.
And in the great new family,
The family of the free,
With softly spoken, kindly word
Remember also me.”
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Never take your freedom for granted. Please remember to support Ukraine as they continue to fight for democracy.
A more eloquent and detailed article by Ambassador Olexander Motsyk, written 5 years ago on the 50th anniversary, details how and why the monument was erected in Washington DC, with guidance of four American presidents. I hope this short article will inspire you to keep your faith to win the mightiest hurdles, and to express yourselves using the freedom we have to do so.
Read the entire article here:
From news archive: 29 June 2014 Speech by Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. Olexander Motsyk at the Ceremony Marking the 50th Anniversary of Shevchenko Monument in Washington, DC Fifty years ago, on June 27, 1964, the American Capital inaugurated a monument to Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko, outstanding Ukrainian poet, philosopher, artist and outstanding personality, who entered the global pantheon of cultural heritage.
Exerpt from the article:
“Four American Presidents made their contribution to honoring Taras Shevchenko. Harry Truman was an honorary head of the Shevchenko Monument Committee. Dwight Eisenhower finally cleared the way for the monument to be installed in Washington and John F. Kennedy sent his greetings to American Ukrainians as they dedicated the site in September 1963 and facilitated implementation. Lyndon B. Johnson said: “He was more than a Ukrainian – he was a statesman and citizen of the world. He was more than a poet – he was a valiant crusader for the rights and freedom of men.”
painting byKonstantin Trutovsky 
I’m still writing my next book, The Dreamer, about a Ukrainian boy during WWII, and hope to have it completed soon. If anyone is interested in being a beta reader just drop me a message. In the meantime…