We were happy to host the students and faculty of Howard University  at the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA today.

In March this year Ambassador Oksana Markarova visited Howard University and presented the copy of Taras Shevchenko’s portrait of Ira Aldridge to Mrs. Phylicia Rashad, Dean of Howard’s College of Fine Arts. During today’s meeting with Howard University students at the Embassy of Ukraine, Ambassador Markarova reminded that Taras Shevchenko and Ira Aldridge shared creativity of their artistic personalities, similar experiences of social oppression and dreams of a better future for their people.

The lecture "Taras Shevchenko and Ira Aldridge: fight for human rights and dignity" by First Secretary Katja Smagliy presented Ukraine’s history through the prism of friendship of the two giants in their artistic fields – African American actor Ira Aldridge and Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.

The Embassy of Ukraine in the USA is thankful to Professor Marilyn Sephocle and lecturers Kelly Knickmeier Cummings and B. Amarilis Lugo de Fabritz, Department World Language and Cultures, for promoting greater understanding of the Ukrainian history and culture and organizing today’s student visit to the Embassy.