Ukrainian poet Hryhorii Skovoroda. His Person and Life. My English translations of his poetry
Channel: Dr. Ivan PAVLII
Date: 2020-03-21

The role of the pioneer of modern Ukrainian literature I. Kotliarevskii (1769-1838) and the great Ukrainian poet T. Shevchenko (1814-1861) in the formation of the Ukrainian national literature is obvious and undeniable. But behind these prominent poets there is another great person who seems to be standing in the background – philosopher and poet Hryhorii Skovoroda (1722-1794). 
At first glance Skovoroda may appear to be a representative of the old literature, as the language he used in his works differs significantly from the contemporary Ukrainian language, and most of his works are philosophical dialogues. However, a deeper study of Skovoroda’s life and writings reveals his unique personality which had no analogues before or after it. All of the old Ukrainian literature and philosophy reaches its highest point in Skovoroda, he said the last word in the whole epoch, and a new epoch started with the history of Ukrainian literature just four years after he died.
Skovoroda’s childhood passed in his native Poltava region. When he was fifteen years old he went to Kyiv to study in Kyiv Mohyla Academy where grammar, poetry, rhetoric, philosophy, theology and many other subjects were taught. Skovoroda became one of the best students. At the age of 19, he was sent to Petersburg to the court cappella because of his beautiful voice. However, the court of Elizabeth of Russia felt like the wrong place to Skovoroda. Soon he returned to Kyiv and then travelled in Europe. He visited Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, meeting with scholars and discussing philosophy. After returning from Europe, back in his homeland, Skovoroda worked as a teacher for a while and then became a wandering philosopher, pedagogue and enlightener.
Bishops called him to monasteries, governors called him to the government, even Catherine II invited him to the service at her court, but Skovoroda had made up his mind – he rejected all invitations. Until the end of his life, he lived as a wandering philosopher spending time with ordinary people, writing only for his friends, avoiding glory and recognition. Skovoroda did not want his works to be published. In fact, the first publication of his work took place after his death, in the year 1798, which was the turning point in the history of Ukrainian literature.
Skovoroda had a brilliant knowledge of Latin and Greek languages, as well as the antique philosophy and poetry and the European philosophy of Renaissance.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian philosopher did not embrace the ideas of Renaissance which were popular in Europe at that time, but he called himself “lover of the Holy Bible” and remained faithful to his own philosophy.
Both Skovoroda’s works and his person determine his important role in the formation of Ukrainian literature. In view of his significant role some researchers even came to consider Skovoroda the greatest Christian philosopher after the early Church fathers.

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My English translation from Skovoroda's poetry that I am reading in this video:
Cities have different customs and laws,
People have different merits and flaws;
Everyone's heart has its favorite mood,
Everyone's palate likes different food.
But as for me, with one thought I'm obsessed,
It's on my mind and it gives me no rest...

Horrible death wields its scythe in the air,
Even the king's life it shall not spare.
To it both peasants and rulers fall prey,
It ruins all as a fire burning hay.
Its deadly blade who will not fear?
Those whose consciences are crystal clear.

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Music source:

Healing by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200048
Musician: http://incompetech.com/