Poems in a Time of Crisis

In response to the situation in Ukraine, Beshara Magazine presents a short poem by Taras Shevchenko (18141861), commonly referred to simply as 'Kobzar' -- The Bard. 

Shevchenko is universally recognised as the supreme national poet of the Ukrainian language and soul, and, as Andrew Watson explains below, his own life mirrored the sufferings and longing for freedom of the Ukrainian people.