The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Maylands hosted a memorial concert in honour of renowned Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko on March 24.
Around 100 people attended the concert that was held after the 9.30am Divine Liturgy in the parish hall. Several young parishioners recited poems composed by the 19th century poet, before entertaining the crowd with a traditional Ukrainian dance.
A presentation chronicling Shevchenko’s life concluded the concert before all present sung the Ukrainian national anthem before departing.
Parish priest Fr Wolodymr Kalinecki said he enjoyed the event, which the parish has held most years.
President of the Ukrainian Association in WA, Mykola Mowczan, welcomed the crowd to the concert, reminding those present of the significance of Shevchenko.
“As we celebrate the life of Ukraine’s favourite son, Taras Schevchenko, let’s be recharged with his love and his energy for the motherland of our parents, our Ukraine,” he said.
Taras Shevchenko was born into a serf peasant family on March 9, 1814, in a village in the Russian Empire (now in Ukraine).
Although uneducated as a child, he eventually became an accomplished student who is now regarded as one of the greats of Ukrainian literature.
He composed many ballads, plays, and epic poems, such as the well-known Haidamaky published in 1841.