“Elena Pchilka (real name Olga Kosach) is a well -known writer and a prominent public figure, translator, folklorist, ethnographer and a true patriot. We talk about Elena Pchilka and her contribution to history, Ukrainian culture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, children, connection with feminism and nationalism, as well as interesting facts. Elena Pchilka: Feminism and the struggle for women’s rights”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
Elena Pchilka (real name Olga Kosach) is a well -known writer and a prominent public figure, translator, folklorist, ethnographer and a true patriot. We talk about Elena Pchilka and her contribution to history, Ukrainian culture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, children, connection with feminism and nationalism, as well as interesting facts.
Elena Pchilka: Feminism and the struggle for women’s rights
Elena Pchilka was one of the first Ukrainian women to openly advocated equality and emancipation. Her views on feminism were progressive for her time. She not only supported, but also practically introduced ideas about the need for education for women, their participation in social and political life.
Elena Pchilka was one of the activists who participated in the women’s movement. In 1887, together with Natalia Kobrynskaya, which was considered a founder of Ukrainian feminism, published the female almanac “The First Wreath”, which declared women’s right to speak in their own voice and openly share their work.
In her works, in particular in the stories “Yudita”, “Cossack Elena”, “Dibrova”, Elena Pchilka derived images of educated patriots. And in the story “Comrades” she demonstrates how feminism and nationalism can be combined, embodying it in the image of the heroine of Lyuba. The story tells of emancipated women who seek to receive university education and medical profession.
Her views on gender equality and equality of women influenced the upbringing of children and the formation of her strong personality.
Elena Bee: Children
Elena Pchilka’s life was inextricably linked to her large and talented family. She was the mother of six children who continued her business and made a significant contribution to Ukrainian culture and science:
Michael Kosach (Mikhail Obachny) is a prominent physical scientist and mathematician.
Larisa Kosach-flower (Lesya Ukrainka) is a brilliant poet, playwright, translator, one of the central figures of Ukrainian literature.
Olga Kosach-Kryvyniuk – literary critic, translator, bibliographer, ethnographer.
Oksana Kosach-Shimanovskaya – musician and pedagogy.
Mykola Kosach – engineer, public figure.
Isidora Kosach-Borisova – Teacher, writer, public figure.
Elena Pchilka dedicated a lot of strength and energy to raising her children, instilling their love for Ukrainian language, culture and patriotism. She created a unique intellectual atmosphere in the home, which contributed to the development of the talents of each of its descendants.
Elena Bee: Photo and Visual Story
In the photo, Elena Pchilka appears to be a strong and strong -willed woman.
I am sure with a deep look that reflects its intelligence and inner strength.
These photographs are valuable artifacts that help to reproduce the image of a prominent figure and plunge into the atmosphere of the time.
Ukrainian Nationalist: Elena Pchilka and her patriotism
Elena Pchilka was a Ukrainian nationalist and dedicated her life to the struggle for Ukrainian identity, language and culture in the conditions of imperial oppression. She consistently defended the right of Ukrainians to her own state, to the development of her language and literature. Her journalistic articles, publishing activities and personal example have inspired many to fight for national revival.
The writer attached great importance to the upbringing of children in the national spirit. She personally made sure that her children, including Lesya Ukrainka, were learning Ukrainian, history, culture, music. Her house was the center of the Ukrainian spirit, where the atmosphere of love for her native land prevailed. She sought to educate conscious Ukrainians who would understand and appreciate their roots.
She also participated in social and political life and was a prominent figure in the Kiev old community-the informal association of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, which played an important role in the national movement.
She wrote prose, poetry, dramaturgy in Ukrainian, promoting it and expanding its capabilities. In her articles, published in various editions (in particular, in the Magazine, which she herself has edited), Elena Pchilka constantly raised the issue of Ukrainian language, education, culture, protecting them from Russification and Polonization. She advocated the full use of the Ukrainian language in all spheres of life, was the first to speak Ukrainian at the opening of the monument to I. Kotlyarevsky in Poltava, despite the ban.
Many works by Elena Bee show patriotic motifs:
The story “Comrades” (1887) is one of the most striking examples of combining feminism and nationalism in the work of a belt. The main characters are young women who seek to be educated and self -realize, but remain deeply devoted to the Ukrainian business. They discuss national problems, dream of the education of the people and oppose patriarchal ideas about the role of women.
“According to Truth” (1889) – this story reveals injustice and ignorance that prevails in society, and shows the struggle of the heroine for justice, which is often intertwined with Ukrainian beliefs.
“Light of Good and Love” (1888) – contains motives for the awakening of national consciousness and the desire for a better life for their people.
The poem “Judite”, although it is a conjunction of the biblical plot, Elena Pchilka filled it with Ukrainian national content. Judite becomes a symbol of the struggle for his people against the invaders, embodying the idea of sacrifice for the sake of national liberation.
Cossack Elena (1883) – in this poem, Elena Pchilka appeals to the historical past of Ukraine, creating an image of a patriot that actively operates in the day of internecine strife.
“Ukrainian Folk Ornament” (1876) is a scientific work that is a striking example of Elena Pchilka’s cultural nationalism. Collecting and organizing Ukrainian ornaments, Elena proved the identity of Ukrainian culture and its artistic value.
Elena Pchilka: Interesting facts from life and creativity
She chose the pseudonym “Bee” – it symbolized her tireless work in the field of Ukrainian culture.
She was the first corresponding female correspondent of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (VUAN).
Elena Pchilka was actively engaged in ethnography, collecting folk songs, ornaments and rituals. Her work on ethnography is a valuable source for the study of Ukrainian culture.
One of the first Ukrainian women to travel around the world by visiting different countries and studying their cultures.
Elena Pchilka was a tireless translator thanks to her Ukraine Shell readers got acquainted with works of world literature.
Became one of the initiators of the founding and an active participant in the Society of Ukrainian Postvorats (TUP), which played a significant role in the national liberation movement.
Bee Writer: Elena Pchilka’s Literary Heritage
As a bee writer, Elena Pchilka left a significant achievement that covers prose, poetry, dramaturgy, translations, journalism and scientific works on ethnography. Her works were marked by high artistic level, deep patriotism and acute social orientation. She was a master of a word that skillfully conveyed the national spirit and beauty of the Ukrainian language. Her works still remain relevant, nurturing his love for Ukraine and its culture.
Elena Bee’s most famous and famous works include:
The Comrade’s story (1887)
“Light of Good and Love” (1888)
“By truth” (1889)
Artichok’s story (1907).
The story “One and a half herring” (1908).
Judit’s poem
The poem “Cossack Elena” (1883)
Patriotic and lyrical poetry: “Stork”, “Dibra vaguely already leafed”, “The edges of the native”, “autumn leaves”, “first snow”.
The play “Not Hugged” (1881) and the play “World thing” (1908).
Elena Pchilka is one of the founders of Ukrainian children’s literature. Her works for children were very popular and played an important role in national education. This is in particular the collection “Green Grove. Poems and Tales with Drawing for Children” (1914) and fairy tales: “About Grandfather’s Daughter and Grand Daughter”, “Goat-Dereza”, “Corzhik”, “Dobranu Par”, “Crane and Heron”, “Straw Cook”. And also known poems: “Pumpkin family” (“Pumpkin walks in the garden …”), “With Grindegols”, “Pine”, “Spring Flowers”, “No, children sleep!”.
Who is Olena Pchilka: Biography and Origin
Elena Pchilka is a multifaceted personality who has made a huge contribution to the development of Ukrainian culture, science and national liberation movement.
She (Olga Kosach, born Drahomanov) was born on June 29, 1849 in the town of Gadyach in Poltava region in an intelligent noble family. Although they were not too wealthy as large landowners, their noble status provided access to education and cultural values, which was extremely important for the formation of Elena’s personality and her brother. The atmosphere of love for books, music, Ukrainian language and folk traditions prevailed in their home. Parents not only encouraged children to study, but also were an example of intellectual development.
Father: Petro Yakimovich Drahomanov (1802–1860). He was a lawyer by profession, but had deep interests in literature, ethnography and folk art. He wrote poems and stories in Ukrainian. Petro Yakimovich came from the ancient Cossack-old kind of Drahomanov, who, according to some information, had Greek roots (the name comes from the Greek “Drahoman”-translator). This genus received the nobility in the eighteenth century. The existence of a noble status provided certain rights and opportunities to get education.
Mother: Elizabeth Ivanovna Tyatska (1821–1868). It also came from the noble family, which, according to some sources, had Cossack origin and was associated with well -known Ukrainian families.
Elena Pchilka is a sister of a prominent Ukrainian public figure, historian, publicist, literary critic and folklorist Mikhail Drahomanov (1841–1895). Mikhail Drahomanov was 8 years older than Elena, and he played a significant role in her life and forming a worldview.
Michael was a very educated person with a wide range of interests. He was one of the most influential intellectuals of his time and had a great influence on Ukrainian cultural and political life. His ideas about the European development of Ukraine, about the need for social reforms, about cultural revival found a response from the sister.
Mikhail Drahomanov supported his sister in her literary and ethnographic activity. Although their political views later dispersed (Michael was more prone to socialist ideas, while Elena adhered to more nationalist positions combined with feminism), their relationship remained warm and respectable.
Elena Pchilka (Olga Drahomanov) married Peter Antonovich Kosach in 1868. Petro Kosach was a lawyer, a public figure, as well as a friend of her older brother Mikhail Drahomanov. After their marriage, they moved to Novograd-Volynskyi (then Zvyagel), where Petro Kosach received the post of chairman of the Congress of Peace Mediators. Six children were born in this marriage, including the world-renowned Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka (Larisa Kosach-Kvitka).
The writer died on October 4, 1930 in Kiev. She was buried in the Baykovo Cemetery, next to her husband, Peter Kosach and daughter Lesya Ukrainka.
Elena Pchilka: Mother Lesya Ukrainka
Elena Pchilka is the mother of the famous Ukrainian poet and writer Lesya Ukrainka. Elena was the first teacher, a mentor, an ideological inspiration for her daughter.
It was she who instilled in Larissa Kosach’s love for Ukrainian language, literature and history, developed her talent and supported in the most difficult moments of life. Their relationships were an example of deep intellectual and spiritual closeness, which influenced Lesya Ukrainka as a person and artist.
