Народне Мистецтво України (Folk Art of Ukraine)

issue # 43-44 (3-4).2008
Page 10

Vasyl Shcherbak

BROTHERS VADYM AND DANYLO SHCHERBAKIVSKI

(to the memory of the devoted knights of Ukrainian culture). The brothers were born in 1876 and 1877 in the priest’s family – Father Mikhail in Zhytomyr region. The father was interested in the history of the country was a friend of Tadey Rylskyi, also an expert in folk culture and history. Vadym studied in Petersburg and Kyiv universities. The two brothers were interested in art, history, participated in archeological digs, studied folk art. In 1906 under the supervision of M. Biliashevskyi they organized a big exhibition in Kyiv Art and Production and Scientific Museums. In 1907 Vadym due to political persecution had to emigrate to Lviv where he worked in a church museum. In 1910 he came back to Kyiv, worked actively as an art expert. He made friends with Vasyl Krychevskyi – the idea to publish books-albums “Ukrainian Art” appeared in their minds. In a course of time Vadym Shcherbakivskyi headed the archeological department of Poltava Nature and Historical Museum (from 1917 – Poltava Folk Museum). In 1917 the Ukrainian Folk University was created on the basis of the museum – Vadym Shcherbakivskyi ran it successfully. Often changes in the power and health worsening made him emigrate. At first the scientist went to Prague, in 1945 to Munich and in 1951 to London. The art expert of the world level he contributed significantly into the folk culture and history of Slavonic people. His brother Danyl had a dramatic life with a tragic end. But his expedition, collection and expositional activity are invaluable. In 1914 – 1917 he gave the museum about 3000 articles. In total together with M. Biliashevskyi they found up to 30 thousand articles. He had a number of interesting scientific works but as many other Ukrainian minded figures his life from year to year became more and more difficult. He committed suicide due to persecution leaving the letter that begins: “I got tired…”. The author of the article is the honorable art worker Vasyl Shcherbak.

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