Taras Shevchenko's Works in Czech Translations and Research

Abstract

This article is about general research of great Ukrainian writer Taras Shevchenko's literature in Czech's cultural environment from the end of 19th century to today, which includes considerable time period and various cultural-historic steps. Authors review key aspects of Czech translations of his works, examine contribution of Czech literary critics and translators, who were active in spreading writer's creative heritage in Czech, and also abroad, particularly in eastern and central Europe. Article also explores great role of Museum of the Struggle for Liberation of Ukraine, which became center of popularization of Shevchenko's works, and provided support for academic initiative and cultural relations between Ukraine and Czech. Museum actively organizes exhibitions, academic conferences and cultural events dedicated to life and heritage of Taras Shevchenko, it attracts great attention of Czech as well as international crowd. This work can become foundation for further studies of Ukrainian literature abroad and for interactions between Slavic cultures.
Insufficient highlighting of Czech translations in Ukrainian literature study in distribution of Taras Shevchenko's works and their influence on academic and cultural Czech-Ukrainian relations.
Goal of the study is complex research of Czech translation process of Taras Shevchenko's works, including cultural-historic context. Study also covers the following tasks:
1) to trace history progress of Taras Shevchenko's work of Czech translations;
2) to analyze activity of Czech translators and literature critics, who popularized works of the writer;
3) to determine role of cultural and academic institutions, in particular Museum of the Struggle for Liberation of Ukraine in Prague, in preserving and sharing of Shevchenko's heritage;
4) to determine significance of Czech translations of Taras Shevchenko's works and their influence on cultural Czech-Ukrainian relations.