The famous Ukrainian poetess Lesia Ukrainka has never visited the largest Canadian city, Toronto. Despite this fact, a monument to the outstanding writer decorates one of the parks of the metropolis. It was placed in 1975 thanks to the joint efforts of Ukrainian immigrants. In addition, several editions of her literary works are kept in Toronto libraries. Learn more at itoronto.
The history of the Lesia Ukrainka monument creation
The talented poetess was honoured outside her homeland long before it became popular in Ukraine. Ukrainian migrants who start their lives in new cities come up with the idea to place monuments. They have already been erected in the American city of Cleveland, the Canadian cities of Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Toronto and other settlements. Also, people often install bas-relief commemorative plaques in the cities, which the poetess has visited during her life. They can be seen in Vienna, Berlin, Sofia, San Remo, Batumi, Telavi and other cities.
The monument to Lesia Ukrainka (Larysa Petrivna Kosach-Kvitka) in Toronto was created by the American sculptor of Ukrainian origin Mykhailo Chereshnovskyi. A bronze statue on a black granite pedestal was installed in Toronto, the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario, in the largest local park, High Park, in the Bloor West Village neighbourhood. The historical event took place in October 1975.
On the front part of the pedestal, there is the poetess’ name in English and Ukrainian and the inscription “The Greatest Ukrainian Poetess“. The monument is surrounded by a high metal fence and fetched plaque containing brief information about Lesia Ukrainka.
Bloor West Village used to be the most popular neighbourhood among Ukrainian immigrants. The monument was created thanks to the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada. Lesia Ukrainka’s youngest sister, Izydora Kosach-Borysova, was present at its opening. At that time, she lived in New Jersey. She advised the sculptor Mykhailo Chereshnovskyi and provided him with family photos.
Representatives of the Ukrainian community of Toronto traditionally hold various mass events on the square in front of the pedestal. Over time, Ukrainians settled in all neighbourhoods of the metropolis. Nowadays, the alley near the monument is a popular cycling and walking route for tourists and city residents.
Bloor West Village is home to credit unions, CUIAS Immigrant Services, Ukrainian Canadian Social Services and other organisations. Every year, the street festival BWV Toronto Ukrainian Festival is organised here at the beginning of autumn. To hold the event, police stop the traffic, people set up trade tents, organise children’s entertainment and serve street food. Music and dance groups from Canada and the USA are involved in the celebration too. It lasts for two days and three nights.
In addition to the monument, Toronto Library funds keep collections of Lesia Ukrainka’s literary works
A local Saturday school, which was founded by a well-known teacher in the community, Zina Maievska, is named after Lesia Ukrainka.
In 1980, the collection “На пошану Лесі Українки” (In honour of Lesia Ukrainka) was published in Toronto on the occasion of the poetess’ hundredth anniversary. Several editions of the poetess’ literary works are stored in Toronto Public Library. They are special, that is why they have the “reference only” mark, which means you can use the books only in the reading room. But you can take home a collection of literary works by various Ukrainian writers called From heart to heart: selected prose fiction. This book presents Lesia Ukrainka’s texts in English.
Toronto Ukrainian Library Associatione keeps the book dated 1926, which was published in Lviv. It is a dramatic poem in three acts “У пущі” (In the forest) published by the “Для школи і дому” (For School and Home) publishing house.