On March 6, 1939 the monument to great Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko was established

in Kyiv on the occasion of 125th anniversary of poet’s birthday.

Taras Shevchenko Monument in Kyiv in 1939 wasn’t built from first attempt. There were five

unsuccessful attempts to built monument. This monument was erected in a kind of bitter way. The

ideas about honoring Taras Shevchenko who may be greatest poet of Ukraine was in the air from an

early 1900th. Although people's donations was collected from 1904 and the project was approved by

the city council in 1909, but there was no real construction until 1939. The monument is located in the

park near Kyiv National University of Taras Shevchenko. The poet’s figure was designed by sculptor

Manizer in bronze.

It is now one of the symbols of modern Kyiv and a place for different political and cultural events.

Since Ukraine became independent in 1991 there has been a tradition to lay flowers to the monument

on the occasion of national Ukrainian holidays or the visit of honorable visitors.

Today the monument is the main attraction in the Shevchenko Park. There the meetings of citizens are

often held, the strikes of different political forces and public gatherings.

Also different cultural events are held by this monument. For example the annual Shevchenko prize is

traditionally presented near the monument.

Sources:

http://www.enjoyukraine.info/article/Taras-Shevchenko-monument.html

http://www.smileykyiv.com/#!p_taras_shevchenko_en/c60e

http://www.mykiev.info/en/dostoprimechatelnosti/pamyatniki/pamyatnik-tarasu-shevchenko

 

image by 777-konstantin.blogspot.com