May 13, 2024 marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding classic writer of Ukrainian literature, the author of the first socio-psychological novel in Ukraine, playwright, translator, publicist and editor, cultural and public figure Panas Yakovych Rudchenko, who entered the history of literature under the creative pseudonym Panas Myrnyi.
Since 1871, Panas Rudchenko lived in Poltava, worked in the provincial treasury and treasury chamber, performing various accounting duties. It was in Poltava that Panas Myrnyi began his literary activity, it was here that the classic novels "Do the oxen roar when the manger is full", "Prostitute" and others were written.
The writer combined his literary work with important social activities, was a member of the commission of the Poltava Duma for the construction of a monument to Ivan Kotliarevskyi in Poltava, and in fact became the initiator and organizer of the first congress of the Ukrainian intellectual elite, which was at the opening of the monument to the poet: Lesia Ukrainka, Olena Pchilka, Hrystia Alchevska, Volodymyr Samiilenko, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi, Mykhailo Starytskyi, Hnat Hotkevych and others. All of them visited the Rudchenko family in Kobyshchany in August 1903.
In Poltava, there are many objects related to the life and work of Panas Myrny, which are important cultural and historical monuments:
The house in Kobyshchany, where Panas Rudchenko lived with his family for 17 years, from which he went to work every day and from where his most famous works were published. Since 1940, the Poltava Literary and Memorial Museum of Panas Myrnyi has been housed in the museum, the initiator of its opening and the first director was the middle son of the writer - Mykhailo Rudchenko. The collection of the Panas Myrnyi museum in Poltava is the richest in Ukraine among literary and memorial institutions in terms of the number of personal belongings of the owner. Among the authentic relics is the piano of the wife of the writer Oleksandra, which was played by Maria Zankovetska and Lesia Ukrainka. The writer's estate is listed in the State Register of Immovable Monuments of Ukraine as a historical monument of national importance, protection number 160004-Н.
The Institute of Noble Girls (now - National University "Poltava Polytechnic named after Yurii Kondratiuk"), the writer's wife Oleksandra Sheideman was a graduate, and later a music teacher. The historical building of the Institute is an architectural monument of national significance of the first half of the 19th century, protection number 160066.
Poltava City Garden (currently the Park of Culture and Recreation "Peremoha") is Panas Myrnyi's favorite place for walks. Before the final move to Kobyshchany, the writer lived near the garden on Malosadova Street. The cozy corners of the park were depicted by Panas Myrnyi in his most famous psychological novel "The Prostitute". His main character, Hrystia, in the guise of a harpist, conquered the hearts of all Poltava men.
Poltava First Classical Gymnasium (now Scientific Lyceum No. 3), where Panas Myrnyi's three sons studied: Viktor, Mykhailo and Leonid. In 1919, Panas Myrnyi arranged a literary morning in the gymnasium dedicated to Taras Shevchenko The building of the former First Classical Gymnasium is an architectural monument of local importance, security number 4755-Pl.
Treasury Chamber (now the Poltava City Council Building). Since 1871, Panas Myrnyi lived and worked in Poltava, holding various positions in the local Treasury Chamber. Conscientious and careful performance of official duties allowed him to reach the high rank of a valid state adviser. Panas Rudchenko was responsible for the following: pension, inheritance, land, administrative and economic affairs; supply of coat of arms to treasuries, various institutions and individuals; administrative committee in matters of maintaining the Zemstvo post office, feeding the army, and repairing and supplying housing for it. In total, the writer worked at the Treasury Chamber for 37 years. The former building of the Provincial Meeting Places (Kazenna Palata) is an architectural monument of national importance, protection number 160036/2.
Monument to Ivan Kotliarevskyi. In 1897, Panas Myrnyi was invited by the Poltava mayor to participate in the work of the commission on drawing up the project and choosing a place for the monument to Ivan Kotliarevskyi, a classic of new Ukrainian literature. The monument was opened on August 30, 1903. For this holiday, Panas Myrnyi wrote a poem "On the opening of the monument to the first Ukrainian writer, Ivan Kotliarevskyi". And then he greeted the writers and public figures who came to the opening of the monument at his home in Kobyshchany. Considering that the Poltava monument of Ivan Kotliarevskyi belongs to the best examples of monumental monuments of the late classicism era, by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 2009, it was entered into the State Register of Immovable Monuments of National Importance of Ukraine, protection number 160011-Н.
Educational building named after Mykola Gogol (now - Cinema). The program of events on the first day of the opening of the monument to I. Kotliarevskyi continued as a solemn meeting of the Poltava City Duma in the Poltava City Theater. Since 2017, this building has been an architectural monument of local importance, security number 3-Pl.
Restaurant "Mongolia" (now - Administrative building). Charity "celebratory dinner" for 100 people in honor of the opening of the monument to I. Kotliarevskyi was appointed to one of the best restaurants in the city. "Lunch menu in eternal memory of I.Kotliarevskyi" was composed by Panas Myrnyi. The writer took the names of more than 12 dishes from Kotliarevskyi's immortal "Aeneid". The building of the former restaurant has been an architectural monument of local importance since 2017, security number 4756-Pl.
The building of the provincial government department (now the Administrative building) where Panas Myrnyi held the position of head of the II department of the direct taxes sub-department during the Soviet regime. Since 2013, the building has been an architectural monument of local importance, security number 7-Pl.
Holy Dormition Cathedral, where Panas Myrnyi was mourned after his death on January 28, 1920. Thousands of people came to see the glorious Poltava citizen on his last journey in bitter frost. According to the ancient custom, the coffin was carried on a sleigh by two pairs of oxen under a red cloth and under flags. The writer was buried next to his son Victor at the City Cemetery (now the Park named after I. Kotliarevskyi).
The grave of Panas Myrnyi, located in the Green Grove, where the writer's ashes were transferred on August 29, 1936. His wife Oleksandra was buried nearby in 1943. The writer's grave has been a historical monument of national importance since 2009, protection number 160006-Н.
Panas Myrnyi Street (former 3rd Kobyshchanska Street) was renamed in 1925 in honor of the writer. This street reminds every resident and guest of the city of his contribution to literature and culture.
Gymnasium No. 8 named after Panas Myrnyi has been named after the outstanding writer since 1949. On the occasion of the 170th anniversary of the birth of Panas Myrnyi, a commemorative plaque was installed on the facade of the school in 2019.
The monument-bust of Panas Myrnyi erected in 1951 on the square near the Literary Memorial Museum is a significant symbol of respect for the writer. The sculpture depicts the thoughtful and creative nature of Panas Myrnyi. A bronze bust with a height of 0.8 m on a four-sided labradorite pedestal with a height of 1.91 m. Authors: sculptor O. Oliinyk, architect M.Vronskyi. Since 2020 - monument of monumental art of local importance, security number 2800-Pl.
Poltava is really deeply connected with the life and work of Panas Myrnyi. Every corner of this city reminds of an outstanding writer who made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian literature.
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