Taras Shevchenko

Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko – a Ukrainian poet, writer, artist and public figure. One of the most famous and respected Ukrainians in the world.

Taras Shevchenko was born on March 9, 1814, in the Cherkasy region. At the age of 24, he was bought out of serfdom for a considerable sum (the equivalent of 45 kg of silver).

Shevchenko is known primarily as a poet. His first collection of poems, "Kobzar", was published in 1840. In 1847, because of the sharp political satire in his works and his participation in the "Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius" (a secret organization), he was sentenced to exile. Shevchenko was able to return to his homeland only in 1857, although until the last days of his life the poet remained under secret police surveillance.

Shevchenko is less known as an artist, yet his legacy includes more than 800 works.

The outstanding Ukrainian died on March 10, 1861. He was first buried in St. Petersburg, but in the same year he was reburied on Chernecha Hill near Kaniv.

Shevchenko's portrait appears on the 100-hryvnia banknote.