TNMU Students Took Part in the Event “Shevchenko’s Prophetic Words: From Ukraine to the World”

On the eve of Taras Shevchenko’s birthday, Ternopil National Medical University hosted the solemn event “Shevchenko’s Prophetic Words: From Ukraine to the World,” dedicated to the 211th anniversary of the Great Kobzar’s birth. The Department of Foreign Languages organized the event on the initiative of its head, Professor Nadiya Fedchyshyn. Students and faculty gathered to honor the memory of the outstanding poet and artist whose words remain relevant and prophetic.

The event began with welcoming speeches from the hosts, who emphasized the importance of Shevchenko’s literary heritage for the Ukrainian nation and the world. The program was rich with numerous student performances featuring the poet’s works in different languages.

The opening performance was delivered by Ivan Savitskyi, a first-year medical student and native of Shevchenko’s homeland, who presented the poem “I Do Not Complain to God” in English translation.

Students recited poems that have become anthems of national dignity and the struggle for truth. Daryna Davydiuk performed “You Will Perish, Ukraine” accompanied by a soulful violin piece played by Oleksandra Tymoshchuk, while Sesay Moses Abdul powerfully declaimed “The Mighty Dnieper Roars and Moans”. These performances conveyed the unbreakable spirit Shevchenko infused into his poetry, sounding both a call to struggle and a reminder of the poet’s eternal connection to his people.

Among the most memorable moments of the event were dramatic reenactments of two key episodes from Shevchenko’s life—“A Boy with a Dream” (performed by Nazarii Bobko, Dmytro Burda, Mykhailo Haley, and Anastasiia Pryvrotska) and “The Trial of Taras Shevchenko” (Andrii Vynychenko, Diana Mudriievska, Khrystyna Zhukovska, and Diana Tykhoniuk).

A highlight of the evening was the heartfelt performance of “My Thoughts, My Thoughts” by Yelyzaveta Klok, accompanied by Alla Marchuk on the violin.

The international significance of Shevchenko’s poetry was underscored by the fact that many of his works were recited in foreign languages. English renditions included “The Water Flows into the Blue Sea” by Lakshmipriya Kandarathil Sunil, “Do Not Envy the Rich” by Vira-Viktoria Hmyria, “The Cherry Orchard by the House” by Suresh Sneha, and “The Days Pass, the Nights Pass” by Nadiia-Anastasiia Hmyria. German-language performances featured “The Sun Sets, the Mountains Darken” and “It’s All the Same to Me…” by Mariia Romanska and Veronika Protsyk. In Polish, Polina Buhaieva recited an excerpt from “Kateryna,” while Khrystyna Buhaichuk performed “Testament.”

Shevchenko’s works have been translated into more than 140 languages, each preserving the depth and power of the Great Kobzar’s words.

The event concluded with all participants joining in a collective performance of “We Were Born in a Great Hour”, a song symbolizing the unity and strength of the Ukrainian people.

This celebration served as a vivid reminder of Taras Shevchenko’s greatness, whose legacy continues to live in the hearts of Ukrainians and resonates worldwide.