Watching: Kobzar. The Story of One Book

Overview

The film explores the biography of Taras Shevchenko, the "Kobzar," or more precisely, three editions of his works that were published during his lifetime in 1841, 1844, and 1860. It also highlights related issues, such as the emergence of the alphabet, the textual studies of Shevchenko's works and his friendly correspondence, his first trip to Ukraine, his arrest, and his last journey in 1860, censorship, and secret surveillance. All of these are closely intertwined with the biography of the "Kobzar." In addition, the biographical facts in this book reveal the emergence of an independent modern Ukrainian identity.