The Life of Maksym Rylsky
Maksym Rylsky, a renowned Ukrainian poet, translator, literary critic, and academic, was born in Kyiv on March 19, 1895. His father, Tadei Rylsky, was a Polish ethnographer, economist, and public figure. Rylsky spent his childhood in the village of Romanivka in the Zhytomyr region, now part of the Popilnia district. He wrote his first poem at the age of seven, and his debut poetry collection, 'On the White Islands,' was published when he was just 15.
In 1915, Rylsky enrolled in the medical faculty of Kyiv's Imperial University of Saint Vladimir but transferred to the history and philology faculty of the Ukrainian People's University in early 1917. He abandoned his studies in the summer of 1918 due to the political turmoil and civil war. From 1919 to 1929, Rylsky worked as a teacher, instructing at a school opened in his family home in Romanivka, as well as at a workers' faculty in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Institute of Linguistic Education. He became a member of the influential 'Neoclassicist' literary group.
On March 19, 1931, Rylsky was arrested on charges of belonging to a Ukrainian counter-revolutionary organization and spent five months in Lukyanivska Prison. In 1932, he published the collection 'The Sign of the Scales.' By 1935, he was heading the literary department of the Kyiv Opera and Ballet Theatre and managing the poetry section of the journal 'Ukrainian Literature.' During World War II, Rylsky was evacuated to Ufa, where his work 'A Word about the Native Mother' appeared in the autumn of 1941.
In 1943, while in Moscow, Rylsky had a romantic relationship with chemist Valeria Poznanska. That same year, he joined the Communist Party (VKP(b)) and earned a doctorate in philological sciences. He was elected an academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1958. However, in 1945, the Soviet repressive apparatus planned his assassination; this plot was uncovered and thwarted by the Security Service of the OUN's regional leadership in Lutsk. At the 4th Congress of Ukrainian Writers in 1959, he recited his poem 'Native Language.'
The Poet's Marriage
Maksym Rylsky married Kateryna Ochkurenko in 1926. Their son Bohdan was born into this marriage, and they also adopted Kateryna's son, Georges. Kateryna Rylska died in 1958. Despite the difficult circumstances the family endured, Maksym remained steadfastly devoted to his literary calling.
Grandson's Recollections of Rylsky
Memoirs from Rylsky's grandson attest to the profound influence the poet had on those around him. His work and life journey left a deep impression on many. In 1957, Nikita Khrushchev noted in the newspaper 'Pravda':
'Maksym Rylsky is a great Ukrainian patriot.'This statement highlights the recognition of the poet's merits both within Ukraine and beyond. That same year, Rylsky was permitted to travel to France and later to Brazil, a significant milestone in his life during the Soviet era.
Maksym Rylsky died on July 24, 1964, from pancreatic cancer and was buried at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv. His legacy remains a vital part of Ukrainian literature, and memories of him live on in the hearts of subsequent generations.
Maksym Rylsky stands as one of the most significant figures in Ukrainian literature; his work was distinguished by deep patriotism and sensitivity. His contribution to Ukrainian literature and culture has had a lasting impact, confirmed by numerous accolades both at home and abroad. Rylsky's legacy continues to inspire contemporary poets and writers and remains a crucial component of national identity.