Taras Shevchenko was imprisoned in 1847 for writing in Ukrainian and advocating Ukrainian independence. Of the 47 years of his life, Shevchenko spent 24 years as a serf, 9 years at liberty, 10 years in exile and 4 years under police surveillance.
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“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 until that day I know nothing 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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An amazing two hours full of dancing, singing, recitations, including a knowledge competition for children and adults about the works of Ukrainian K. H. Borovsky, poet and national awakener. How would our children and adults fare in a test of their knowledge of the works of the Czech Taras Shevchenko? He has had a statue in Kinsky Square since 2010. When will we also commemorate the still relevant legacy of K. H. B. - not only with his statues?! JŠ (Full Article in Czech)
"The mighty will give you advice on how to cross the sea, but he will rarely pull you out of the puddle."
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"Liberty and good government alone is the cause of prosperity and growth, and namely that part and aspect of liberty which leads to this, that every man should, if possible, work for himself, and keep the whole proceeds of his own exertions for himself, and not live idle."
K. H. Borovsky
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