Who is he, the first domestic activist?

On March 9, the outstanding Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko turns 207. Few people know, but in addition to poetry and artistic craft, Shevchenko also took an active part in social and political life.

 

Shevchenko’s path as a champion wrestler for the preservation and observance of human rights, the overthrow of absolute power began in 1846, when 32-year-old Taras Grigorevich was already moving to Kyiv. Here he joins the Kirillo-Mythodia brotherhood, a secret radical political organisation founded on the initiative of the outstanding Ukrainian historian Mykola Kostomarov. In addition, Shevchenko is hired by Kyiv University, the main organisation of free ideas in Ukraine at the time. Subsequently, this university will receive the name of a glorious poet.

 

“Shevchenko hold the view that for denial and non-recognition of the enslavement of the people, condemned the system of Russian legislation and judicial proceedings, and defended the interests of the ruling classes. He called for the struggle for national and social liberation, social equality, political freedoms based on universal justice, for the self-government of the people and the collegial form of realisation of power, the elimination of national oppression and affirmation of the state independence of the Ukrainian people, the just life of all people on Earth,” wrote candidate of historical sciences Lyudmila Prosvitnetska.

It is by working on the program documents of the Kirillo-Mythodia brotherhood that Kobzar reveals his socio-political views on the world. Shevchenko belonged to the people’s democratic wing of the organisation. It is no coincidence that the share of “popularly” is placed in front – it is a direct indication of who actually owns power in the state. According to Shevchenko, in the future Ukrainian state, power should belong to communities. In Taras Grigoryevich’s understanding, the state itself should be divided into separate states, each of which should have been headed by a president. States were supposed to be divided into areas, which in turn were to be counties. The counties were to be governed by a community from which 10 independent delegate deputies were elected to the county government. The office was an elected body, and the foremen at the head of the government had to hear monthly from the community on compliance with the requirements of the law on the ground and other problem situations.

Shevchenko’s views were based on the natural needs of man, in protecting the oppressed population. Kobzar himself believed that only the man himself – brave and educated in his rights – can protect himself from powerful arbitrariness: “… a silent husband has long been doomed to walk in a heavy yoke.”

Shevchenko expressed his protest in an acrimonious satire addressed to the imperial regime at the time in such verses as “Dine,” “Caucasus” and others. However, the artist’s open protest was not limited solely to literary manifestations. When Nikolai Kostomarov, along with other members of the brotherhood, was arrested by the Tsarist guard in 1847, Shevchenko wrote a letter addressed to Tsar Nicholas I demanding that the scientist be released.

However, Shevchenko himself was soon arrested and exiled to the Orenburg fortress. While in exile, Shevchenko has repeatedly committed disobedience actions. His premature dismissal is also the result of an active civic position. His friends, well-known writers and scientists, achieved Shevchenko’s release in 1857 through repeated appeals to the Emperor. After his release, he continued to create, but did not forget about helping people either. In his third big trip to Ukraine, Kobzar is an activist who proved himself to be a philanthropist-educator. According to archival materials, Shevchenko taught people literacy and rights, helped with the organisation of schools and acted as a teacher himself.

Taras Grigoryevich put his life in the service of the Ukrainian people, he was a fighter for their rights and for his will.

On the Day of the 207th Anniversary of the Great Kobzar, the portal “Active Citizens” congratulates all activists, caring citizens who fight for their own rights every day, for the rights of many of those who are still at home, who still “lay to sleep” but will soon “wake up.”

Keep fighting – you are sure to win!
God helps you in your fight!
For fame and freedom march with you,
And right is on your side!

Dmitry Perov , founder of the NGO “Green Minute”

Translated by Ruslan Mahomedov