The only Shevchenko museum in the Americas
The Museum exhibits are dedicated to the art, life and literary legacy of the founder of the modern Ukrainian language Taras Shevchenko, who has twice been celebrated as a cultural leader of world acclaim by UNESCO.
Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine's greatest poet, artist and champion of his people's freedom was born a serf in the village of Moryntsi, Ukraine. Though orphaned by the age of 11, his talents developed early. While studying art in St. Petersburg, he became known to the democratic intellectual elite of Tsarist Russian society and was bought out of serfdom through their efforts. Although free, he never forgot his roots and his fiery poetry, such as in the Kobzar, published in 1840, drew the ire of the repressive Tsarist regime. For this, he was exiled in 1847 to punitive military service in the eastern regions of the Empire. After receiving a pardon in 1857, he continued to work and struggle until his death.
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