Yevhen Hrebinka

During his short life Yevhen Pavlovych Hrebinka had time to do a lot: he wrote fables, novels, stories and short stories. His works from 1833 were systematically printed in magazines and almanacs. Yevhen Hrebinka’s creativity played an important role in the formation of the Ukrainian literature. His wise tales and moving lyrical poetry and prose infused with compassion for common people.

Eugen was born on a farm Hrebinka Ubizhysche (Refuge) Pyryatynsky County (now within the village Marianivka Hrebinka district, Poltava region) in a family of small landowner - Staff-captain of Little Russia Cavalry Regiment P. Hrebinka. He participated in Patriotic War in 1812, was on the way to Paris, was engaged in farming after his retirement, had 20 serves. Generic farm Hrebinka Yar renamed to Ubizhysche farm. Was familiar with V.I. Grigorovich, V.I. Markovich (father of a member of Cyril and Methodius Organisation O. Markovic, was the godfather of the poet).

In the years 1825-1831 Y. Hrebinka studied in Nizhin high school of Sciences, received a rank of 14th class. In the summer of 1831 returned home, attended Lubny, visited the estate of Novitsky in Snityn (friend in high school), survived personal tragedy through love for his sister (described in the "Student Notes", 1841). In early September, went to Piryatyn. September, 7 nobility of Piryatyn chose Y. Hrebinka as a sergeant of reserve squadron Little Russia Cavalry Regiment, which was based in Pereyaslav. In December 1831 retired and returned to Ubizhysche, where he spent two years working on "Little Russian sayings” (published in 1834) over the further translation into Ukrainian Pushkin’s "Poltava" (started in Nizhyn, the first piece published in "the Moscow Telegraph" № 17 for 1831), that was published in 1836. He went constantly to Piryatyn for correspondence. In spring 1833 met the Ukrainian artist A. Mokritskiy (Nizhin high school of Sciences graduate) visited him in Oleksandrivka near Piryatyn. Mokritskiy stayed in Ubizhysche, painted a portrait of the poet here. At the end of 1833 went to St. Petersburg, where wrote the parents: "My flesh was in the capital, and the soul away - in the native steppe, under a small thatched roof house". Served as clerk, from 1835 taught literature at the Noble Regiment, from 1837 - military-educational institutions. He was familiar with Pushkin, Ivan Krylov, Koltsov, Ivan Turgenev, had friendly ties with G. M. Kvitka-Osnovianenko, P. Gulak-Artemovsky, Borovikovskiy, V. Zabily.

In 1836 through I. Soshenko met Shevchenko, supported him financially assisted in self-education, took direct part in the redemption of the poet from serfdom. Hrebinka concerned about the rise of education and native land. 1847 he organized the parish school for children in village Rudky (now - Hrebinka District), sent money for him. Villagers still remember this.

In May 1836 went from St. Petersburg to Ubizhysche. Stayed here till September, visited the Mokritsky family, wrote “Stories by Piryatyner" (published in 1837 with the dedication to his fellow countryman Grigorovich). In May 1840 again drove to Poltava from Ubizhysche went to Lubny, where group of Mlotkovsky was giving performances. The prominent Ukrainian actor K.T. Solenyk has played there (1811-1851). He performed in vaudeville "My wife goes married" and "Cossack-poet" by Shahovsky. In Lubny heard the story and used in the tale "Kulik”. In the following years issued in St. Petersburg Almanac "Swallow", novel "Tchaikovsky" (1843) and others. He wrote poems, fables in Ukrainian and Russian. In the summer of 1842 after the death of his father came again to Ubizhysche. Two times visited Rudka village where lived small landowner Rostenberg with the granddaughter Maria Vasylivna. In May 1843, once again goes to Ubizhysche together with Taras Shevchenko. To the estate came in late June. 29-30 June attended estate of T.G. Volkhovska in v. Mosivtsi (Moysivtsi now Cherkasy region). At the ball of the landowner introduced Shevchenko J. de Balmen, O. Kapnist, O. Afanasiev-Chuzhbynsky, Zakrevsky. In July, visited Kremenchug (23-26.07), where was present at the fair and benefit of the actor Aleksandrynsky from Martin's Theatre; Piryatin, Rudka. In Rudka was about two weeks, wrote here his well-known song "Black Eyes", dedicating it to M.V. Rostenberg.

Dark eyes, of the passion full,

Eyes burning and beautiful!

I love you so!

I am afraid of you so!

I saw you in an evil hour.

Oh no wonder you're deepest dark!

See the grief for the soul in you,

I see the flame is victorious in you,

Burned in it the poor heart.

But I'm not sorrowful, not even sad,

It is comforting to me my fate,

All that is best in life God has given us

In the sacrifice I gave fiery eyes.

Popular songs on Hrebinka’s words are also "I remember I was still young" ("Still young maiden I was"), "Ukrainian tune” ("No, Mom, you can not love the unloved”). In May - June 1844 Hrebinka is again in Poltava region. He came along with the V.I. Dahl (1801-1872, Russian lexicographer, ethnographer, writer, corresponding member Petersburg’s Academy of Sciences, the main job "Explanatory Dictionary of Great Living Language”, Vol 1 - 4, 1863-1866). Lived in Ubizhysche, visited Marianivka, Turivka, Rudka. In late June got married to M.Rostenberg and returned to St. Petersburg. Visited Poltava in 1845. Attended the performances in Lubny by the opera troupe Wilhelm von Shmidkov’s, later published an article “Opera in Lubny” in "Literary newspaper". Repeatedly raised the issue of opening up in Rudka of Lubensky County parochial school (opened in autumn 1847, took the first 15 students). In December 1848 Hrebinka died in St. Petersburg. Ashes transported home and buried in Ubizhysche. Streets in towns and cities of Poltava, district centers are named after Hrebinka. On the grave and scallops errected a monument to him.