7. Famous people of ukraine

Ukraine has given the world many brilliant names in literature, culture, science, etc. Ukrainian culture is famous for its rich and ancient traditions. The names of Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, Lesya Ukrainka are known in the whole world.

Great contribution to the world historical science was made by such prominent Ukrainian historians as M. Hrushevsky, M. Drahomanov.

Taras Shevchenko

Taras Shevchenko was not only a famous poet, but also a great artist.

Owing to his brilliant talent, Shevchenko overcame all obstacles in making his way into the world of literature and art.

Taras Shevchenko was born on March 9, 1814 in the village of Moryntsy, near Kyiv. Even as a boy, Shevchenko already showed that he was gifted in drawing. When his master, Baron Engelgardt, took him to Petersburg Shevchenko made the acquaintance of the outstanding Russian artist Karl Bryullov, of the noted poet Zhukovsky. Bryullov painted Zhukovsky's portrait which was raffled off for 2,500 roubles, and with this they bought Shevchenko's freedom. This took place on April 22, 1838.

Shevchenko received not only his freedom, but the opportunity to study at the Petersburg Academy of Arts. He painted all his life wherever he went — in Petersburg, while travelling in his native Ukraine or when in exile. His album of etchings "Picturesque Ukraine" (1844) brought him fame. A year before he died, Shevchenko was awarded the title of Academician of Engraving by the Academy.

Answer the following questions:

1. When and where was T. Shevchenko born?

2. How did T. Shevchenko receive his freedom?

3. What album brought Shevchenko fame?

M. Drahomanov

New words and word-combinations to be remembered:

society товариство

deal with займатися, мати справу з

issue проблема, питання

' Mykhailo Drahomanov, born on September 30, 1841, in Hadiach, Poltava gubernia, died on July 20, 1895, in Sophia, Bulgaria. Scholar, civil leader, publicist, political thinker. Bom into a gentry family of Cossack origin, Drahomanov studied at Kyiv University, where he became Docent, lecturing on Ancient History. While pursuing an academic career, Drahomanov rose to a position of leadership in the Ukrainian secret society the Kyiv Hromada and took part in its various activities.

Drahomanov became an early victim of anti-Ukrainian repressive measures by the Russian government and was dismissed in 1875 from the University.

In 1889 Drahomanov accepted a professorship at Sophia University.

Drahomanov began his scholarly work as an ancient historian. Later he worked in Slavic, especially Ukrainian, ethnography and folklore, using the historical-comparative methods. His principal works are "Historical Songs of the Little Russian People", with V. Antonovych, 1874—75; "Little Russian Folk Legends and Tales", 1876; "New Ukrainian Songs on Social Topics (1764— 1880)", 1881 and others.

Drahomanov was an outstanding Ukrainian political thinker. He dealt extensively with constitutional, ethnic, international, cultural and educational issues. He was also engaged in literary criticism.

Answer the following questions:

1. What was Drahomanov?

2. Where did he study and work?

3. What are Drahomanov's principal works?

4. What issues did he deal with?