Today marks 150 years since the birth of Lesia Ukrainka – an outstanding writer, translator, folklorist, public and cultural figure.

 

Lesia Ukrainka is one of the most famous figures in the history of Ukrainian literature. She left behind a great literary heritage: poetry and prose, journalistic articles, translations of world classics.

 

Interesting facts from the life of the famous writer:

 

• – Lesia Ukrainka’s real name is Larysa Kosach-Kvitka

 

• – Lesia was only 5 years old when she started writing dramatic works

 

• – At the age of 9 she wrote her first poem “Hope”

 

• – Spoke 11 languages. Translated works by Homer, Hugo, Byron, Heine, Shakespeare

 

• – Wrote a total of over 100 poems and 20 dramas. Has released three collections

 

• – At the age of 19, Lesia Ukrainka wrote a textbook for her younger sister called “Ancient History of Eastern Peoples”.

 

• – Lesia Ukrainka not only wrote poems, but also created new words, such as “промінь” (meaning “ray”) and “напровесні” (meaning “in early spring”)

 

• – Asteroid “2616 Lesya” that was discovered on August 28 1970 was named after Lesia Ukrainka.

 

We would also like to remind that UNESCO together with Ukraine celebrates the 150^th anniversary of Lesia Ukrainka.