Every March, the Shevchenko Foundation commemorates the work of poet Taras Shevchenko by distributing thousands of bookmarks to children across Canada who are enrolled in Ukrainian language classes in public, private, and Saturday schools. All Ukrainian dance schools and ensembles also receive this souvenir art piece miniature, which for some has become a collector’s item.
We ask for artists to create an art piece that depicts the chosen literary excerpt from Shevchenko’s poems. This year’s excerpt is “Три шляхи (The Three Roads)”. The original Ukrainian-language version, and English translation appear below.
The selected art work will be used in the 2017 March campaign. The successful artist will receive an honorarium of $1,000.00 for the original art work selected.
The image should be suitable in its dimensions to be reproduced as a bookmark i.e. long and narrow. The finished bookmark size is 2” x 7.5”. Please ensure that there is room around your image in case it needs to be cropped slightly. Scans should be a minimum of 400dpi.
These campaigns have become successful educational tools from the Shevchenko Foundation. They also serve as a great venue for exposing the artist to a very large audience. If you are interested get in touch with our office toll free: 1-866-524-5314 or email bohdana@shevchenkofoundation.ca
The deadline for submissions of art work for the March Campaign bookmark is
January 20, 2017.
Три шляхи
Ой, три шляхи широкії
Докупи зійшлися;
На чужину з України
Брати розійшлися;
Покинули стару матірь,
А той – сестру, а найменший –
Молоду дівчину.
Посадила стара мати
Три ясені в полі,
А невістка посадила
Високу тополю;
Три явори посадила
Сестра при долині.
А дівчина заручена
Червону калину.
Петербург, 1842
The Three Roads
Three broad roads ran in endless length
To crossroads in Ukraine;
By each a brother started out
A foreign land to attain;
They all forsook their mother dear;
One left a wife behind;
A sister, one; the youngest left
A maiden young and kind.
The aged mother planted then
Three ash-trees in the field;
The daughter-in-law a poplar shoot
Into the meadow heeled;
Three maple-shoots the sister’s hands
Set in with gentle push;
And the lorn maiden planted there
A red kalyna* bush.
St. Petersburg, 1842
Translated by C.H. Andrusyshen
* Also known as Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus)