Having been so widely hyped as the symbol of independent Ukraine, it’s understandable that Taras Shevchenko, who most people – particularly ex-pats – is the first name that comes to mind when people think of Ukrainian poetry.
“Ukrainian poet? I thought there was only one,” wrote one ex-pat, just to prove the point.
One Ukrainian reader who also gave the nod to Taras, admitted, “If I were a savant in literary studies, I could probably explain why – but I’m not. Just ask any Ukrainian on the street to name poets he knows, and you will hardly hear any other names.”
Well, the Post did receive a smattering of votes for other Ukrainian poets, both historical and contemporary. Poltava-born poet Ivan Kotlyarevsky, for instance, was praised for his celebrated “Aenejida” – an 18th-century satirical Cossack version of Virgil’s “Aeneid.”
Another opted for better-known Kyiv artist and playwright Les Podervyansky, who unfortunately, “does not consider himself to be a serious poet.” More of an innovator, many might very well compare Podervyansky’s foul-mouthed renditions of “Hamlet” and “King Lear” and efforts as a connoisseur of the vernacular akin to Shevchenko’s promotion of the Ukrainian language.
Other respondents saw poetry in life itself.
“Clearly it’s Andry Shevchenko – his mesmerizing dribbling with the ball is sheer poetry that has the Milanese in rapture,” wrote one reader, adding that “the only other candidate is ‘Sbornaya’ Ukraina – Lesia’s smarter brother – but who is just too depressing.”
For one ex-pat, poetry can also be found in a good meal in the kitchen, as he voted for “the cook at the Drum.”
“Have you had their chicken salad?” he asked.
As for this week’s bonus question concerning Post readers’ favorite staff writer, living or dead, long-serving (and frequently arrested) former staff writer Jake Rudnitsky came out ahead.
“No one has the right to take Jake’s crown,” stated one supporter.
Others garnering votes were Vitaly Sych, Olga Kryzhanovska, Anna Kozmina and Steven Shaklan.
Whether one day any of them will be buried alongside the Dnipro and have hundreds of parks, schools and streets named after them remains to be seen.
RESULTS:
1. Taras Shevchenko
Others receiving votes: Ivan Kotlyarevsky, Oles Honchar, Lina Kostenko, Vitaly Onishchenko and Les Podervyansky.
