Taras Shevchenko: The Serf Who Founded a Nation (10 Things Everyone Should Know About Ukraine)

'The Serf Who Founded a Nation'. How Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) went from being a serf to becoming Ukraine’s most important poet, giving a voice to the Ukrainian people.

With Dr Rory Finnin, University Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Ukrainian Studies, University of Cambridge.

‘10 Things Everyone Should Know About Ukraine’ is made by the Ukrainian Institute London in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute and H.S. Pshenychnyi Central State Film, Photo and Sound Archive of Ukraine.

[Eowynnofrohan]

I hope Ukraine finally breaks totally free from russia and remains free

[Cisssana]

I admire Dr. Rory Finin so much for his devotion to my motherland. What he is doing for Ukraine is unparalleled. Good luck, Rory!

[luciabraithwaite]

This man knows more about my country than my parents and I do - thank you

[urmur]

Thank you for recording this. I showed this to my boyfriend to explain who Shevchenko is.

[staskos]

Taras Shevchenko – influencer #1 on Ukrainian culture

[dmytrognativ]

Wonderful video! We need more like that!

[catnap]

Excellent! Can we have more of these types of presentations on Ukrainian topics from Dr Finnin please.

[DARDA]

А нумо знову віршувать.
Звичайне, нишком. Нумо знову,
Поки новинка на основі,
Старинку божу лицювать.
А сиріч... як би вам сказать,
Щоб не збрехавши... Нумо знову
Людей і долю проклинать.
Людей за те, щоб нас знали
Та нас шанували.
Долю за те, щоб не спала
Та нас доглядала.
А то бач, що наробила:
Кинула малого
На розпутті, та й байдуже,
А воно, убоге,
Молодеє, сивоусе, —
Звичайне, дитина, —
І подибало тихенько
Попід чужим тином
Аж за Урал. Опинилось
В пустині, в неволі...
Як же тебе не проклинать,
Лукавая доле
Не проклену ж тебе, доле,
А буду ховатись
За валами. Та нищечком
Буду віршувати,
Нудить світом, сподіватись
У гості в неволю
Із-за Дніпра широкого
Тебе, моя доле!

[Перша половина 1848,
Орська кріпость]

[ragis]

Duzhe dyakuyu za tsei klip 😊. I am reading Taras Shevchenko now (April 2025 ) in my mother tongue- Lithuanian 🇱🇹. Really good translation, done by top Lithuanian poets. But I really hope to be able to read him in beautiful Ukrainian soon. 🇱🇹🤝🇺🇦 #SlavaUkraini #SlavaZSU

[ukerkater]

Shevchenko represents the heart and soul of the Ukrainian people. A resilient individual and a gift to our people.🇺🇦❤

[SerghijBuzko]

At that time 40 years had passed after Russian empire kills most cossacks and destroys their state - the last symbol of Ukrainian culture, force and "volya". There were no signs that, after 600 years of battles for their freedom, Ukrainian nation was still alive. Until he revives the resistance over again. He rises from the bottom of the people and his works form a new beginning, which later renews this ancient spirit of "volya" to fight for your land and freedom.

[dukejivetalker]

"and water with the tyrants blood, the freedom you have gained"

[Eowynnofrohan]

So it looks like there is a movie about him! Possibly any with English subtitles? I am just learning about him and want to know more

[TheTraktergirl]

Thank you for this; I am ashamed to say that I know very little about our National Poet

[rlng]

Damn it's so well done that I'm going to save this vid

[nestorpapish]

Poet, painter, Ukrainian nationalist, advanced Orthodoxy as the Religion of Ukraine-Haydamaky...

[Eira-vttl]

Kylläpä löytyy paljon tietoa Ukrainan historiasta You tubesta.