"A Century has passed since the death of Taras Shevchenko, the great Ukrainian poet, and it is most fitting that a monument in his honor is to be erected on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature As a poet he not only enriched the literature of his people but inspired them with new hope for freedom. What he sought for them he sought no less for the oppressed everywhere in the world."


"I am pleased to add my voice to those honoring the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. We honor him for his rich contribution to the culture not only of Ukraine, which he loved so well and described so eloquently, but of the world. His work is a noble part of our historical heritage."


Taras Shevchenko died in his studio apartment St. Petersburg at 5:30 a.m. on March 10, 1861. The poet was first buried at the Smolensk Cemetery in St. Petersburg. Then Shevchenko's friends immediately undertook to fulfil the poet's Zapovit (Testament), and bury him in Ukraine. The coffin with the body of Shevchenko was taken by train to Moscow, and then by horse-drawn wagon to Ukraine. Shevchenko's remains entered Kyiv on the evening of May 6, and the next day they were transferred to the steamship Kremenchuh. On May 8 the steamship reached Kaniv, and Taras was buried on Chernecha Hill (now Taras Hill) by the Dnipro River. A tall mound was erected over his grave, and it has become a sacred site for the Ukrainian people.

Taras Shevchenko Museum A great poet and artist- below his self portrait. Visit the Museum and see more of his wonderful art.

Testament (Zapovit) 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 God, 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. Taras Shevchenko, 25 December 1845, Pereiaslav. Translated by John Weir Toronto, 1961.                                                                         ЗАПОВIТ   Як умру, то поховайте   Мене на могилi,   Серед степу широкого,   На Вкраїнi милiй,   Щоб лани широкополi,   I Днiпро, i кручi   Було видно, було чути,   Як реве ревучий.   Як понесе з України   У синєє море   Кров ворожу... отодi я   I лани i гори -   Все покину i полину   До самого бога   Молитися... А до того -   Я не знаю бога.   Поховайте та вставайте.   Кайдани порвiте   I вражою злою кров'ю   Волю окропiте.   I мене в сiм'ї великiй,   В сiм'ї вольнiй, новiй   Не забудьте пом'янути   Незлим тихим словом.   25 грудня 1845 в Переяславi