CIVIC AND UNIVERSAL VALUES IN THE CREATIVE WORK OF LESYA UKRAINKA AND OLENA TELIGA

Abstract

The article examines the work of extraordinary poets, who are noted for their strength of character, women who consciously renounced their own interests for the sake of serving the country and society, had a clear goal, so they did not lose the strength to carry out their creative plans. Lesya Ukrainka and Olena Teliha are real fighters with high morals, a clear civil position and national self-respect. Their poems are a significant contribution to the treasury of socio-political lyrics of Ukrainian literature 2021 is a jubilee year, and the Ukrainian community will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lesya Ukrainka, an uncompromising person, citizen, and writer who has faced significant trials: the thirty years' fight with sickness, the persecution of family members, their imprisonment and death. However, this is a personality that more than one generation of real Ukrainians will look up to – those Ukrainians who will love Ukraine to the depths of their souls and "the depths of their pockets," as the famous philanthropist Yevhen Chykalenko said. Modernity has brought up very tolerant people, but sometimes it borders on weak will. What is the motto of her life: “Kill me – I will not give up!”, and the pseudonym, consonant with the middle name of Mikhail Drahomanov - clearly emphasizes the national affiliation of a person who is not ready to compromise with the enemy. The position of Olena Teliha is similar, she was not afraid to defend the honour of the native language, because the language is a marker of national identity, because anyone can wear a folk costume, but wearing an Indian sari Ukrainian will not become a Hindu, and a Chinese in embroidered clothes will remain Chinese. Olena could have been abroad and served Ukraine from there, but in times of danger the woman returned to Kyiv, headed the literary elite, and attended meetings without any fear of being arrested by the invaders. Her behaviour inspired her husband, Mikhailo Teliha, who was able to escape during the arrest of the literary association, and died, supporting his wife's political position. Ukrainians, and especially Ukrainian youth, should know such facts from the lives of famous (and not very famous) real citizens. National self-sacrifice, the desire to serve the native state must be conscious, and they can be brought up through the life's feat and poetic creativity of caring representatives of Ukraine.