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The Goldenhair Star of Shevchenko’s Life This year, Ukrainians around the world will be commemorating the 190th anniversary of the birth of Taras Shevchenko, our greatest poet. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our magazine, we share with you another glimpse from the past. The article below, compiled by Professor Pavlo Zaycev, was originally published in the March 1944 issue of Our Life. In the year 1817, to Ivan Psiol, an official to the civilian Government of Poltava, a daughter was bom, who was named Glafira. Her parents died when she was only three years old, and the Psiol children were adopted by the Princess Repnin. The Repnins, together with the Psiol children, had to retire from Poltava in 1834 to their estate in Yahoty, because Czar Nicholas 1 had removed Prince Repnin from the office of Governor of Potava for his Ukrainian separatist leanings. A very welcome guest appeared in the Yaho- tyn palace in the early 1840’s. He was Taras Shevchenko, then already famous as a painter and poet. Young Princess Barbara Repnin was deeply in love with him, but Shevchenko immediately turned more of his attention to the Princess’ foster sister Gla fira. Barbara suffered in her jealousy, but later loyally wrote in her autobiography about Glafira’s superior qualities. She credited Glafira with beautiful golden hair, charm, intelligence, and unusual artistic abilities as a painter. As to Shevchenko, Princess Repnin ad mits that Glafira was “the sun in his life”. Did Glafira return Shevchenko’s feelings for her? Undoubtedly so, although in the palace’s atmos phere filled with old world conventions she had to conceal her real feelings. This friendship of several months ended with Shevchenko’s departure in January 1844. Soon after this parting, in early 1846, Glafira was married to Count Peter Dunin Borkowsky, who left her a widow, dying of consumption a year later. As a widow Glafira returned to the Repnin’s household and there soon learned of Shevchenko’s exile. All her letters to Shevchenko dating to that pe riod, although restrained in tone, as behooved a widow at that time, nevertheless show much sympathy for his suffering and interest in his fate. Writing to Shevchenko on the occasion of the New Year 1848 (?), She has this to say: “ What should I wish you for the coming New Year? God’s blessing, suffering and tears to fill and freshen the emptiness of your life.” We may well guess that in mentioning a void in life and tears, as a measure of relief, Glafira was probably depicting also her own frustrated life. Among Glafira’s paintings perhaps the most valuable are two sketches which she made of Shevchenko’s head in 1843. Experts declare them to be very accurate in portraying Shevchenko’s character istic nervous disposition. The National Board of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America is proud to announce that the XXVIII UNWLA Convention and the 80th Anniversary of the UNWLA will be hosted by the Regional Council of Central New York on May 27-30, 2005 in Albany, the Capital of New York State This historical capital, firmly rooted in history and heritage, showcases centuries of regional art and yet is home to cutting edge technology, which is spurring a vibrant future. The Capital Region, which celebrates the old and the new, offers a perfect setting for the XXVIII Convention as UNWLA members reflect on the past 80 years and make plans for the future. Further information will be published as details become available. Members of the Convention Executive Committee Chairperson: Marianna Zajac Vice-Chair: Vera N. Kushnir Secretary: Alisa Serdyuk Treasure: Olya Drozdowycz 16 “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, БЕРЕЗЕНЬ 2004 Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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