Lesya Ukrainka is one of the most outstanding figures of Ukrainian literature. Poet, writer, translator, folklorist, founder of the literary circle “Pleiada” – a lot is known about her life and work. But when analyzing the activity of Lesya Ukrainka, we should not forget about the beginning of her journey – childhood. Today we have prepared the most interesting facts about this period of the life of a famous actress.
I learned to read at the age of 4
Already from her early years, Lesya Ukrainka was very diligent, had an aptitude for school science. Seeing this, the parents made sure that the girl could study with private teachers. At the age of 4, Lesya learned to read: it was quite unusual for a child of that time.
Sincere friendship with brother Mykhailo
“Myshelosa” was the name Lesya and her older brother shared in the Kosach family. After all, they were inseparable from childhood: they spent a lot of time together in games and studying, together they visited private teachers. Heartfelt friendship united Lesya and Mykhailo even in adulthood: they continued to support each other.
She had many funny nicknames
In the Kosach family, Lesya was called by various affectionate names: Zeya, Zeichka, Zeysok, as well as Boule vagabonde, which means “bun” in French.
Inspiration for creativity is in the family
Lesya Ukrainka’s parents were educated and cultured people. Mother, who worked under the pseudonym Olena Pchilka, was an active participant in the women’s movement, wrote poetry and stories for children. By origin, Olena (real name – Olga) was a noblewoman.
Lesya Ukrainka’s father, Petro Antonovych Kosach, was an educated nobleman who was interested in literature, music, and painting. Father’s sister, Olena Antonivna Kosach, was a writer and an active public figure. It was she who took care of Lesya for a short time when her parents went to the world exhibition in Paris. The girl called Elena “aunt
Yelya”: communication with her had a huge impact on the work of the future writer. Lesya’s first poem – “Hope” – was dedicated to Aunt Yela.
Lesya’s second aunt, Oleksandra Kosach-Shymanovska (“Aunt Sasha”) taught the girl music.
A serious illness at the age of 12
At the age of twelve, Lesya was diagnosed with bone tuberculosis. The pathological process affected the left hand: in October 1883, Professor Oleksandr Rinek successfully operated on the girl. After the operation, Lesya’s health improved, but the disease did not completely go away. Despite this, even at such a young age, the girl did not lose her courage and continued her studies: she studied Greek, Latin, French and German, and continued to study music and poetry.
Studied according to the program of the male gymnasium
Lesya and her brother Mykhailo always studied according to a joint program — private teachers used the program of the male gymnasium. Education was quite easy for both of them, and the poet will remember this period of her life with special warmth.
And finally, some short little-known facts about Lesya Ukrainka’s childhood:
- Lesya learned to embroider at the age of 6. She was very good at this activity.
- The future poet took piano lessons from M. Lysenko’s wife, Olga Oleksandrivna O’Connor.
- For the first time, Lesya Ukrainka heard the story about Mavka from her mother – during a vacation in the village of Zhaboritsy. This story made a great impression on her. As well as Zhaboryt folk songs, fairy tales, beliefs.
- Her mother helped young Lesya publish her first poems: in the publications “Zorya”, “Dzvinok” and others. And the famous pseudonym “Lesya Ukrainka” appeared almost simultaneously with the first poems – in 1884.
