Celebrate Taras Shevchenko’s 200th birthday - take part in essay competition!

The essay contest is part of a year-long, world-wide celebration of Taras Shevchenko’s 200th birthday. It is intended to inspire young people to think about the legacy of this towering figure in Ukraine’s history. 

Theme of the Contest “Taras Shevchenko: Why Does He Matter Today?”

An Unlikely Friendship - Shevchenko and Aldridge

Larry Socha, Consular Officer @ the US Embassy in Ukraine, saw a portrait of a famous American actor Ira Albridge by Taras Shevchenko and was impressed. 

The story of Ira Aldridge and Taras Shevchenko is one of friendship, but also one of freedom. Both men sought freedom in the power of their words. Both drew inspiration from real human struggle, slavery and serfdom. They were men ahead of their time whose examples inspire us in our own.