Who is the most important historical figure in Ukrainian history?

[stevenal_73]

In your opinion, who is the most important historical figure in Ukrainian history?

[steve_vlasenko]

Hi Steve,

Wow what a question!
I would've said Taras Shevchenko, but I'll get accused of being too much of a patriot.

Vlas.

[stevenal_73]

First of, Mr. Vlasenko, I was thinking about some things you have said and you are right. This is a Ukranian discussion board and since I am not Ukranian, I thought I would educate myself on the coutry and knew many people could help me in this pursuit. So, may I ask, without looking it up in an encyclopedia, who this person was and what did he do in regards to Ukraine. Is he a leader or a political figure? this is my guess. His name sounds familar. I plead only ignorance if I am suppose to know who he is. I am sure you can educate me. Thanks! From the other Steve.

[steve_vlasenko]

Hi Steve,

No need for the hostility, I wasn't having a dig at you. It was someone else who referred to Stas and I as a zealots, because we were made happy by the 24th August: Independence Day.
Any way who was Taras Shevchenko?
Poet, painter, writer, basically he was art on a stick. He was a serf who had his freedom bought, but many times throughout his life felt the might of Tsarist oppression for his Ukrainian views.
His life also symbolizes the struggle Ukraine has undergone to be free of oppression.
If you ever go to Kyiv the Taras Shevchenko Museum is a must. Also a trip to Kaniv to his burial place is an experience everyone visiting Ukraine should make. (In my opinion).
I could go on forever about the wonders of Taras, but I would say the best place on line to start any research is http://www.infoukes.com/
I think this poem sums up the struggle for Ukrainian independence perfectly.

My Testament
When I am dead, bury me
In my beloved Ukraine,
My tomb upon a grave mound high
Amid the spreading plain,
So that the fields, the boundless steppes,
The Dnieper's plunging shore
My eyes could see, my ears could hear
The mighty river roar.

When from Ukraine the Dnieper bears
Into the deep blue sea
The blood of foes ... then will I leave
These hills and fertile fields --
I'll leave them all and fly away
To the abode of Cod,
And then I'll pray .... But till that day
I nothing know of God.

Oh bury me, then rise ye up
And break your heavy chains
And water with the tyrants' blood
The freedom you have gained.
And in the great new family,
The family of the free,
With softly spoken, kindly word
Remember also me.

Pereyaslav,
December 25, 1845

It's far better in Ukrainian.
Also I think it's great that non-Ukies are interested in this fantastic country. Don't feel you have to apologies for anything, learning is what this forum is all about (well that's what I think).
I'm an ethnic Ukie, however I was born an raised in Manchester so I always consider my self to be English and a Manc.
Any way, keep safe and people call me Vlas. Mr Vlasenko!!! I'm not even 30 yet!!! ;-)
Vlas.

[LippyChick]

BANDERA

From 1942 he was recognised as leader of The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (Ukrainska Povstanska Armiya -UPA) -- -- numbering about 200,000 men and women. UPA and other Ukrainian guerilla groups, fought against the totalitarian armies of both Germany and Soviet Russia in the hope of winning and maintaining an independent Ukraine.

It only took another 40 odd years.

[LM]

I don't think there is THE MOST important historical figure in Ukrainian history. Our history have so many important historical figures that is hard to say who is THE MOST important.
We can start from long time ago:
- Prince Volodymyr the Great who brought Christianity to Ukraine, Belorus and Russia; - Prince Yaroslav the Wise, who established educational and judicial systems in Ukraine, overesaw building of many beautiful churches and cathedrals and who promote Ukranian interests all over the Europe;
- archbishop Petro Mogyla, voloh-moldovan by nationality who established first Easter European university in Ukraine;
- Roksolana = Anastasia Lisovska, born in priest family in Rogatyn became the first Great Sultana of Turkish Empire and was in charge of Foreign Affairs of this state;
- Cossak's Hetmans (leaders) Hamalia, Severyn Nalyvajko, Doroshenko, Sahajdachnyj, Bohun, Hmelnytskyj (very controversial figure, but important);
- Cossak's Hetmans Palij and Mazepa, one fought with and another against Peter the Great, Russian Tzar;
- Grygorij Skovoroda - poet, traveler and "Ukranian Socrates";
- Of course Taras Shevchenko, not only talented poet, artist and a freedom fighter but in many ways the preacher and a profet, who's words were listened to and read by many generations of Ukranians not only in schools and middle class houses but on the fields and factories by working class people;
- and one can not even count many and many historical figures starting beginning of 20th century: poets and writers who tried to promote and awaken national selfrespect killed by many years of Russian Tzars oppression; freedom fighters after 1917 revolt such as Mahno and Petljura; freedom fighters during WWII; freedom fighters after WWII, who were killed and jailed during Soviets and we probably even will not know all of their names.

As I said earlier too many to choose from!

[StasUA]

Kyj, Shchek and Khoryv and their syster Lybid the legendary founders of Kyiv.