KREMENETS I. STESHENKO GIMNASIUM IN ULAS SAMCHUK’S LIFE AND WORKS

Abstract

The article deals with the basic principles of the formation of U. Samchuk’s outlook during his studies at Kremenets Gymnasium named after I. Steshenko. His active participation in cultural, social and political life, educational activities in Kremenets and its reflection in the creative heritage have been analyzed. The author of the article notes that in the Kremenets high school the socio-political biography of the writer U. Samchuk begins. The national element of the early 20's, trying to overcome the Great Polish influence, prevailed in this city only in the Ukrainian gymnasium and in the "Enlightenment". U. Samchuk was active in the field of not only learning, but also cultural, social and political life. Separately, it should be highlighted its activities in the "Enlightenment". It was in Kremenets that the ideological formation of U. Samchuk as an active Ukrainian patriot took place. U. Samchuk teaches at the Kremenets Gymnasium, the history of its existence, in a book of memoirs «On a horse's raven». In particular, he emphasizes that the gymnasium «actively replenished the personnel of the Ukrainian intelligentsia in Volyn». The author’s attention focused on Kremenets Gymnasium in his books of memoirs and autobiographical works, revealing the role and significance of the institution, various data on its history, educational activities have been exposed. Particular attention is drawn to the novels «Volyn» and «Vasyl Sheremeta’s youth», in which the writer emphasizes a significant role of the activities of Kremenets gymnasium, as well as «Prosvita». The article reveals the reflection of the importance of education, the role and influence of books, teachers in the works. The author observes that in his works the enlightenment movement in Volhynia in the 1920's, U. Samchuk emphasizes the psychological and spiritual atmosphere in which Prosvita acted, reveals the psychology of those who disseminated this movement and the population that he perceived Samchuk is a hero not only the performer, but also the theorist of his own views on the Enlightenment, his spirit. Importance is reflected in the works of U. Samchuk on education, the writer embodied those aspects that reveal the importance of education, the attraction to knowledge, the role and influence of books, teachers, educational institutions and societies. Because of the content of Samchuk's works, the thought that sounded in 1941 in the editorial of the Volyn newspaper: «... without education, without knowledge, without proper education at school, people can not be eloquent». U. Samchuk emphasizes: «... the first and last commandment is to learn!» The images of teachers of Kremenets Gymnasium disclosed by U. Samchuk in his writings have been considered.