TARAS SHEVCHENKO'S PHENOMENON IN RECEPTION AMONG THE FOREIGN PUBLIC DURING THE JUBILEE YEARS OF 1961–1964

Abstract

During the early 1960s, Soviet diplomacy actively promoted the celebration of Taras Shevchenko's anniversaries at an international level. In November 1960, the World Peace Council passed a resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian genius' death (in 1961). Later, in December 1962, the 150th anniversary of Shevchenko’s birth was included in the list of outstanding events and persons of 1964 by the XII session of the UNESCO General Conference. This decision was supported by the World Peace Council in 1963, which led to an increased interest in Taras Shevchenko's creative legacy from the world public.

During this period, different interpretations of Taras Shevchenko emerged, including the official Shevchenko studies of the USSR and the “socialist camp” countries, the perception of Ukrainian patriots (in the sixties) by the younger generation, and the foreign public. Even among the Ukrainian diaspora, there were varying assessments of Shevchenko's creative legacy and its impact. The jubilee years intensified the “battle for Shevchenko”, both in Ukraine and abroad.

The article highlights the Soviet authorities’ desire to prove to the world that Ukrainians lived in a “free, new family” as envisioned by Taras Shevchenko. The impact of communist ideology on the assessment of Soviet reality in Ukraine by a part of the Ukrainian diaspora and the “socialist camp” countries is also noted. For example, the rejection of earth from Taras Shevchenko's grave to place it in the poet's monument in Washington illustrates the nationally conscious part of the Ukrainian diaspora's attitude towards Soviet reality. Finally, the article emphasizes the worldwide significance of Taras Shevchenko’s work.

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