Kobzar on the frontlines

The Shevchenko Institute of Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) jointly with the Ukraine Open International University of Human Development released recently an edition of Kobzar that was made with special needs of the frontline soldiers in mind. Its first page carries warning “Not for Sale,” and indeed, all copies of it have already been sent to the front.

The idea to support the morale of the soldiers at war in this way first occurred to Colonel Serhii Rudiuk. Addressing the nation’s defenders in his preface to the book, he said, in particular: “Read it before going into the battle and on returning from it. Know that the ‘fiery word’ of our national prophet Shevchenko will give you strength needed ‘to conquer and survive to conquer again.’ Keep Kobzar in the left breast pocket of the uniform. Let your heart constantly hear the rhythm of hearts of Shevchenko’s characters – the Haidamaks and Zaporizhian Cossacks, the three hundred Berestechko heroes, all the ‘great knights who are not forgotten by God!’ Let your heart burn with the unquenchable fire of holy love for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and the sizzling righteous anger for enemies, as our glorious ancestors hearts’ used to! Their valor encourages us, ‘now living in Ukraine,’ to increase ancestral glory and humiliate the enemy force!”

According to director of the NASU’s Shevchenko Institute of Literature, Academician Mykola Zhulynsky, who immediately supported the idea to publish the book, it includes Shevchenko’s poems in which the poet’s love for Ukraine is best expressed. “Every poem in it is full of the boundless spirit of patriotism and great respect for the freedom-loving Ukrainian people which fought for the right to live in its own independent state for many centuries,” Zhulynsky said. “This Kobzar is intended primarily for the Ukrainian soldiers who are now defending the independence of our state. It will serve as spiritual-intellectual weapon as well as a talisman. The first edition of a thousand copies has run out instantly. The book has already been received at volunteer battalions and National Guard units. With the support of benefactors, our institute has assisted in publication of the second edition of this Kobzar, which will run out soon too. Therefore, we call upon all concerned to join the campaign and help us to raise funds for it.”

Interestingly, in addition to a well-reasoned introductory article, written by a known Shevchenko student Serhii Halchenko and dealing with major stages of the poet’s life and creative career, the book includes also a collection of aphorisms contained in his poems, prepared by Maria Korniichuk and Halyna Karpinchuk.