March 11, 2021

Commemorating Taras Shevchenko

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60th anniversary of the Shevchenko monument in Winnipeg

The following statement was issued by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress on March 9.

OTTAWA – On March 9, Ukrainians around the world mark the 207th anniversary of the birth of Ukraine’s bard, Taras Shevchenko. His contributions to the development of Ukrainian culture, national identity and national unity cannot be overestimated. For two centuries, Ukraine’s Kobzar has inspired generations of Ukrainians, both in Ukraine and abroad.

Every year in Canada, Ukrainian language school students recite his poetry, choirs perform his works, and communities gather to commemorate him. More than a thousand Shev­chenko monuments have been erected in the world, his works have been translated into almost every language, and streets, educational institutions and cities have been named after him.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of the Shevchenko monument in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1959 the Ukrainian community in Canada embarked on a significant undertaking – to place a monument to Taras Shevchenko on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. Thousands of people from across Canada donated money for this endeavour – raising $175,000 in total. Two years later, on July 9, 1961, nearly 10,000 Ukrainian Canadians from across the country gathered in Winnipeg to witness Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker officially unveil the monument.

Shevchenko’s poetry and artwork are cherished around the world. His dedication to the Ukrainian cause will remain close to our hearts forever. His voice spoke loudly and forcefully for self-determination and freedom. Today, as the people of Ukraine bravely battle to defend their country from Russia’s invasion, the words of Taras Shev­chenko continue to inspire them and us.

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