9 February 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko at the United Nations
On 27 February 2014, a commemorative event will be held at the United Nations (UN) in New York, titled “Taras Shevchenko: Champion of the Ukrainian language, self-determination of peoples, human rights and social justice.”
This initiative, in the framework of International Mother Language Day, is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko – the world-renowned Ukrainian poet, artist and political prisoner, whose greatness is determined by his contribution to the cultural treasures of humanity. Organizers of the event are the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO) with the support of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN.
The commemorative program foresees greetings from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President of the 68th General Assembly of the UN John B. Ashe, addresses by UWC President Eugene Czolij and WFUWO President Orysia Sushko, a keynote address by Prof. Maxim Tarnawsky of the University of Toronto, and a cultural program. The Master of Ceremonies will be the translator of Shevchenko’s Kobzar, Peter Fedynsky.
“This commemoration at the UN will enable us to further inform the international community about the creativity of the great Taras Shevchenko who elevated and suffered for the fundamental values that are at the core of the United Nations,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
