Ivan Franko
Meet the prolific Ukrainian writer, poet, and social activist whose literary prowess and dedication to social justice have left an indelible mark on Ukrainian culture
Ivan Franko by Natalia MINYAYLO, source: Gazeta.ua?, photo: facebook.comCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Ivan Franko is often associated with a vivid image he created himself – an unknown stonecutter, bound by chains, trying to smash through rock with his sledgehammer, and opening the way for others following him. In many ways, this image is not just a poetic saying.
Ivan Franko was born in Nahuyevychi, now the Lviv region of Ukraine, in 1856. Despite the early death of his parents, Ivan was eager to work and soon began school. He started writing in the first years of his studies. By the fifth grade, he was reading Shakespeare, Schiller, and Goethe, and in his final school years, Franko already wrote poems and translated from Greek, German, and Czech.
Ivan Franko by Oristarchus BANDRUK for Fotografii Starogo Lvova (Old Lviv Photos) Source: http://www.galychyna.if.ua/CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
During his studies at Lviv University, Ivan Franko began his active public and political work. Apart from the constant writing, he held a strong position against injustice and oppression of the Ukrainian people. Neither three arrests nor the lack of money could stop Ivan Franko.
In 1890, Ivan Franko became one of the founders and the first leader of the first-ever Ukrainian political party, the Ruthenian-Ukrainian Radical Party. In real life, he was preaching and fighting for the principles and values described in his poems. Franko stated the need for Ukrainian people to stand up for themselves and their culture, to never give up, and to fight for freedom despite poverty, hardship, and political uncertainty.
Franko by Trumpet. Ukrainian-centric newspaper.CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
A writer and political activist, Franko was unquestionably a genius. He knew 14 languages and translated many works. Franko wrote in Ukrainian, Polish, German, and other languages. He defended his doctoral thesis and published many articles. He was even nominated for a Nobel Prize.
Ivan Franko's name often comes to mind as one of the three greatest Ukrainian poets of all time, together with Taras Shevchenko and Lesya Ukrainka. Writing in Ukrainian and having written more than 6,000 pieces of literature, including 10 poetry collections, Franko indeed became a true Ukrainian classic. His works of poetry still sound like relevant manifestos and are popular among Ukrainians these days.
Text: based on text by Vasyl Skakun
Original text from the album of the Prominent Ukrainians project, published jointly by Pictoric Illustrators Club, Pavlo Gudimov Ya Gallery Art Center, Artbook Publishing House and Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Photo:
Oristarchus BANDRUK for Fotografii Starogo Lvova (Old Lviv Photos)
Source: http://www.galychyna.if.ua/
