Exhibit: Dumy moї - My thoughts: Taras Shevchenko, the Ukrainian Diaspora and the Ongoing War in Ukraine

Peter and Doris Kule Centre for Ukrainian and Canadian Folklore Presents:

Dumy moї - My thoughts:

Taras Shevchenko, the Ukrainian Diaspora and the Ongoing War in Ukraine

Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, PhD Kule Chair in Ukrainian Ethnography and 
Dmytro Yesypenko, Graduate Student MLCS

Curators

Exhibition: March 6-31, 2023, Rutherford Library Galleria, University of Alberta

Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861) is one of the most prominent and influential figures in Ukrainian culture and history. During his lifetime, he was recognized as the author of literary classics, notably, the iconic poetry collection Kobzar (Minstrel, 1840). A poetic genius, Shevchenko also became an outstanding painter. Following his death, Shevchenko’s oeuvre has come to be considered as the prime exemplar of the Ukrainian spirit. The construction of monuments, and the naming of numerous institutions and streets after Shevchenko, as well as the performances of his poetry at major events and concerts have become symbolic and almost sacred rituals for Ukrainian communities all over the world.

This exhibition, drawing its name from Shevchenko’s famous poem “Dumy moї” (My Thoughts), aims to present the timeless significance of the poet’s messages and the artistic imagery of this true national Kulturträger.

The multi-media exhibit explores the phenomenon of admiration for Shevchenko and how his legacy speaks volumes about Ukrainians themselves. Four digital screens display images and accompanying explanatory texts in respective thematic streams. The first screen, titled “Who is Mr. Shevchenko?” tells about the significance of Shevchenko’s deeds and writings in the context of his time and demonstrates some of his brilliant paintings. It also explains the title of the exhibit and why Shevchenko’s poem, “Dumy moї” (My Thoughts), has gained special importance in the context of past migrations and the present war. 

The second screen traces the theme of “Shevchenko and the Diaspora” and highlights the poet’s role in Ukrainian communities in different countries, first and foremost in Canada. Most of the picturesque and unique materials presented are drawn from the Bohdan Medwidsky Ukrainian Folklore Archives, carefully stored at the Kule Folklore Centre, University of Alberta.

The third screen presents a slideshow curated by Ben Wasylyshen featuring “Shevchenko Commemorative Bookmarks” that have won the annual art competition organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko to celebrate the legacy of the writer.

The fourth and final thematic stream of the exhibition concerns the very recent dramatic events in Ukraine. The screen displays Shevchenko’s portrayal in contemporary Ukrainian visual arts and the roles assigned to the writer in the conditions of war.

As a whole, Dumy moї - My thoughts multimedia exhibition covers dimensions of tragedy and sadness, but also of humor and empathy, resilience and the unconquerable Ukrainian spirit, admired by the whole world today.

The exhibit was shown from March 6-31, 2023  at the Rutherford Library Galleria - University of Alberta.

 Dmytro Yesypenko gavea Curator’s Talk on March 10, 2023 | 12 PM MST at Rutherford Library Galleria. More information on the Curator's Talk here.