Museum of literary heritage opened in Ternopil

Museum “Literary Ternopillia” is now open in Children’s Library No.2 at the Hrabovskys Country House. It was created in a very short period of time, in only six months. The museum presents materials about 250 writers connected with Ternopil region, their literary work and personal belongings.
“The materials of the exhibition include rare editions,” said Oleksandr SMYK, head of the Department of Culture and Art attached to Ternopil City Council. “We have here Spivanyk first published in 1931 in Kremenchuk under the guidance of Andrii Herasevych and also Spivanyk by Ulas Samchuk which is not presented in any other museum in Ukraine. It is an extremely rare edition. The exhibition also includes a portrait of Ivan Franko with the family from the late 19th – early 20th century. There are also many other little details that create this special atmosphere.”
Halyna Kompaniiets, director of the library added: “While working on the exposition we learned that the first science fiction writer Myroslav Kapii was born in Ternopil region. Unfortunately, not many people know about him.” Both families of the authors and concerned residents of Ternopil region contributed to the formation of the museum. Maria Matsuk, resident of Ternopil, brought her family relic – “Bible Catechism” to the museum. “My mother studied this Catechism. Together with her parents, as a family of a Bandera soldier, she was sent to Siberia. The first thing my grandfather took with him was this Catechism.” Personal belongings of the writer Petro Tymochko were presented to the museum by his daughter Olha. Lidia Romanchuk brought her personal creative works: two books of memoirs and three songbooks. “We have to remind people about what a terrible life the generation of political prisoners had to endure. Many of those are already gone. But God let me live until this day and express my gratitude for work, writing, and love for word,” said Romanchuk at the opening ceremony.
“I am very pleased that there is certain logic in this exposition,” noted Bohdan BASTIUK, famous Ternopil writer. “It is very good that you began with Cyril and Methodius: our alphabet, first printing machines… I think this will be very significant for the school students. The museum ‘Literary Ternopillia’ also has a cabinet of a writer with essential elements of everyday life from the past century and a hall for literary meetings.”
“In fact, the museum has just opened, its content will grow and expand. And I would like to take this opportunity to invite writers and everyone related to the Ukrainian book writing and book publishing to contribute to its development,” said Serhii NADAL, mayor of Ternopil. “I also invite patrons and sponsors who would like to participate in this, because this whole museum was created by hands of writers and patrons, thanks to their great desire.”