UNF Rare Books and Archives Collection

06/26/2024

On June 24, 2024 the US National Security Agency pledged to reprint the thousands of children’s textbooks lost in the bombing of FactorDruk print house in Kharkiv last month. Russian forces are specifically targeting schools, universities, libraries and archives. Children are being stolen daily, and those who have been left are being robbed of their education and language.

This support was decided upon in the highest echelons of government, however, the Ukrainian community in the USA has historically produced Ukrainian books of outstanding print quality and understood the need for exceptional books. Thank you to the USA for supporting Ukrainian language and culture.

Beauplan, Guilliaume le Vasseur. Descriptions of Ukraine. In English. Maps and Illustrations. Reprinted from the 1744 Edition printed in London by the ODFFU, New York, 1959.

Sichynsky, Volodymyr. Ukraine in Foreign Comments and Descriptions. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. New York, 1953.

05/24/2024

Once again, russian forces have attacked a printing facility in Kharkiv. Seven people are dead. Thousands of Ukrainian language children’s books and school texts have been destroyed. Kharkiv is being pummelled for a very specific reason. It was a centre of intellectual thought in eastern Ukraine, then became the first capital of the Ukrainian SSR. As such, it became the seat of Lenin’s Korynizatsiya (Ukrainianization) policies of the early 1920’s. The support of Ukrainian writers at this time was evident when they were given a special building, called the Slovo building, where Ukrainian writers and intellectuals could live in a fully functioning community. However, two years after its construction, the policies of Ukrainian cultural support were reversed with the coming of Stalin. The majority of the building’s writer residents were executed by the end of Stalin’s Great Purge of 1937-1938. (“The Executed Renaissance.”) Nevertheless, the city retained its literary and intellectual legacy and continued to be an important printing and publishing city right up until today.

Moscow is deliberately burning Kharkiv as it was, and still is, an important part of Ukraine’s historical, cultural and intellectual legacy. Targeting and burning down bookstores, libraries and printing houses does not serve military strategy. It serves simply to destroy a language and culture. Make no mistake, Kharkiv is now a main battleground for the Second Executed Renaissance. Its survival is imperative for Ukraine, and not just for territorial reasons.

The Human Giant
Beliayev, P.
Non fiction. Children’s Science book.
In Ukrainian.
Kharkiv : Dytvydav ; 1935.

04/25/2023

UNF Toronto Rare Books and Archives Committee expresses their deep condolences to the family of Ron(Roman) Cahute. Ron passed away in Toronto yesterday at the age of 68. He was a musician, composer and an arranger of orchestral pieces. Though he played many instruments, he was best known for playing the accordion. He wrote and arranged most of the music for the UNF Toronto dance group “Kalyna”. Boxes of handwritten musical scores by Ron Cahute are housed in our collection.

“Fly, Kozak, Fly”

Вічная Пам’ять

03/16/2023

Marika Dubyk, 2019:

1962 р. Ліга Визволення України, Торонто, Канада. Коли в Україні, совєтська система арештувала Шістдесятників, ці люде в Канаді плянували як визволяти Україну.
Коли в Україні, було заборонено вивішувати портрети провідників, героїв України, в Канаді вони висіли.

Останній з права сидить П. Башук, член ОУН, котрий з друзями були одинокі котрі втекли з польської тюрми Бригідки, (по заді Оперного Театру у Львові). На тому місці стоїть пам’ятний знак про цю подію. Тут більше про П.Башука https://uk.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Башук_Петро

Історики, це перший раз що фотографія іде у світ. Зберігайте.

03/09/2023

Today is the birthday of Taras Shevchenko, a renowned Ukrainian poet, writer, and artist who is widely regarded as one of Ukraine's most prominent cultural figures. Born on March 9, 1814, in a small village in Ukraine, Shevchenko rose to fame with his groundbreaking works that championed the Ukrainian language and culture, which were often suppressed during the time of the Russian Empire.

Shevchenko's poetry and artwork played a pivotal role in shaping the Ukrainian identity and inspiring a sense of national pride among Ukrainians. His work was instrumental in promoting the use of the Ukrainian language and literature and advocating for the independence of Ukraine from Russian domination.

As members of the UNF Rare Books and Archive Club, we are proud to be preserving a rare Kobzar book printed in St. Petersburg in 1908. The Kobzar is a collection of Shevchenko's poems, which was first published in 1840 and became an iconic work in Ukrainian literature. Our efforts to preserve this book are crucial, as it represents a significant part of Ukrainian cultural heritage and history.

The book's importance lies not only in its rarity but also in the fact that it contains Shevchenko's original poems and artwork. As such, it is an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers seeking to understand the historical and cultural significance of Shevchenko's work and its impact on the development of Ukrainian identity.

By preserving this rare Kobzar book, we are contributing to the preservation of Ukrainian culture and history, ensuring that future generations will have access to the works of one of Ukraine's most significant cultural figures.

03/08/2023

On this International Women's Day, we honor the brave women of the Ukrainian armed forces who have shown remarkable strength and resilience in the face of war. Despite the challenges and dangers they face, Ukrainian military women have been instrumental in defending their country and upholding its values.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, we must remember and honor the sacrifices of these brave women who have risked and/or still risking their lives for their country. We must also recognize the importance of supporting women's participation in the military and promoting gender equality in all aspects of society. Only then can we build a world where women can thrive and contribute to a safer, and peaceful future.

#8березня #фемінізм #праважінок #зсу

02/28/2023

02/25/2023

Lesya Ukrainka (Feb 25, 1871- Aug 1, 1913) was a prominent Ukrainian writer and poet who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female writers in the history of Ukraine and the world.

Here are some reasons why she is considered such an important figure:

📚 Literary Contributions: Lesya Ukrainka's literary contributions are considered to be among the most important in Ukrainian history. She wrote poetry, plays, and prose works that were characterized by their lyrical beauty and their exploration of deep philosophical themes. Her writing often touched on subjects such as freedom, justice, love, and the struggle of the human spirit. She was also known for her vivid depictions of nature and her ability to capture the essence of the Ukrainian landscape in her writing.

🇺🇦 Cultural Significance: Lesya Ukrainka's work played an important role in the cultural and political life of Ukraine. Her writing helped to shape the national identity of the Ukrainian people and to promote their language and culture. She was also an important figure in the Ukrainian national liberation movement, advocating for the rights of her people and speaking out against oppression.

♀️♂️ Gender Barrier Breaker: As a woman writer in a patriarchal society, Lesya Ukrainka faced significant challenges in her career. Despite this, she was able to achieve great success and to become one of the most respected literary figures of her time. Her achievements paved the way for future generations of women writers and helped to break down gender barriers in Ukrainian society.

Overall, Lesya Ukrainka's literary contributions, cultural significance, role in breaking gender barriers, and symbolic importance as a figure of resistance make her one of the greatest women in history, not just in Ukraine but in the world.

Learn more about Lesya Ukrainka in this book: "Spirit of Flame" by Percival Cundy, New York, 1950.

https://diasporiana.org.ua/poeziya/18675-spirit-of-flame-collection-of-the-works-of-lesya-ukrainka/

02/24/2023

During times of war, libraries are often targeted by occupying forces and destroyed. There are several reasons why this occurs.

Firstly, libraries can be seen as symbols of national identity and cultural heritage. Occupying forces may view the destruction of libraries as a way to erase the culture and history of the conquered people, and to assert their own dominance over the territory. This was seen in World War II, when N**i Germany targeted Jewish libraries and burned books that were deemed to be "un-German" or "anti-Semitic."

Secondly, libraries can contain sensitive or valuable information that occupying forces may wish to keep hidden or destroy. For example, during the Iraq War, the National Library of Iraq was looted and burned, and valuable manuscripts and archives were lost. This was seen as a deliberate attempt to erase evidence of Saddam Hussein's regime and to suppress information that could be used against the occupying forces.

Furthermore, the destruction of libraries is a blow to cultural heritage and history. Libraries often contain rare and valuable manuscripts, documents, and artifacts that cannot be replaced. Once destroyed, this history is lost forever, and future generations are robbed of the opportunity to learn from and appreciate the past.

In summary, these russian crimes have an intent to erase Ukrainian cultural identity, to suppress valuable information, and destroy our irreplaceable history.

It is essential now more than ever to support libraries in Ukraine and archival projects like ours, so future generations have access to the knowledge and culture of the past.

02/24/2023

The Ukrainian-Muscovite War has been going on for not just one year, not even nine. It's a war that has lasted for centuries. It's a struggle that has hardened our people and transformed them into a nation. It's a confrontation that has shaped our consciousness.

Glory to all the fallen heroes. Ukraine is fighting. Ukraine is free. Ukraine will win.

***

Українсько-московська війна триває не один рік. І навіть не дев'ять. Це війна яка триває сторіччями. Це боротьба яка загартовувала наш народ і перетворювала його на націю. Це протистояння, яке окреслювало нашу свідомість.

Слава усім загиблим героям. Україна бореться. Україна вільна. Україна переможе.

-
The book: Mirchuk P. Ukrainian-Muscovite War (1917-1919), Toronto, 1957, UNF Toronto Rare Books and Archives Collection

#історіяукраїни #війна #українапереможе #ріквійни #24022022 #росіякраїнатерорист #старікниги

02/21/2023

Rare books play an important role in preserving a language's history, culture, and literary heritage. They provide a unique window into the past and can reveal insights into the evolution of a language and its usage over time.

Rare books may contain early examples of a language's grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, as well as insights into the cultural and historical context in which it was spoken or written.

They also often contain unique perspectives and voices that may not be represented in more mainstream or widely available literature.

By preserving rare books, we can ensure that important aspects of a language's legacy are not lost to the passage of time, and that future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate the richness and diversity of human expression.

Happy International Mother Language Day! 💙

***

Рідкісні книги відіграють важливу роль у збереженні історії, культури та літературної спадщини мови.

Вони надають унікальну можливість заглянути в минуле і можуть розкрити відомості про еволюцію мови та її вживання з часом.

Рідкісні книги можуть містити ранні приклади граматики, синтаксису та словникового запасу мови, а також відомості про культурний та історичний контекст, в якому вона вживалася або була написана.

Вони також часто містять унікальні перспективи та голоси, які можуть бути не представлені в більш загальнодоступній літературі.

Зберігаючи рідкісні книги, ми можемо забезпечити те, що важливі аспекти мовної спадщини не будуть втрачені через течію часу, і майбутні покоління зможуть продовжувати вчитися та оцінювати багатство та різноманітність вираження мови.

Вітаємо із всесвітнім днем рідної мови! 💙

#українськамова #рідкіснікниги #старікниги #ріднамова #деньрідноїмови