Lina Kostenko Celebrates Her 96th Birthday: A Gathering of Ukrainian Cultural Icons

Lina Kostenko Turns 96

According to Главком: On March 19, the renowned Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko marked her 96th birthday. The celebration was held among friends and associates, including restaurateur Maria Didkovska, who shared video and photos from the event. During the festivities, Kostenko spoke of her long friendship with poet and publisher Ivan Malkovych, which began when she was 19, and her more recent, year-long acquaintance with Didkovska. Lina Kostenko is a towering figure in Ukrainian literature, whose work has defined generations and provided a voice of moral clarity.

Guests and Tributes

The birthday of Lina Kostenko also drew the attention of numerous public figures. Among the guests in attendance were:

• MP Olesya Pinzenyk
• People's Deputy Mykola Kniazhytskyi
• Former Minister of Culture Yevhen Nyshchuk
• Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, frontman of the band 'Okean Elzy'
• People's Artist of Ukraine Ada Rogovtseva
• Writer Serhiy Zhadan
• Larysa Ivshyna, chief editor of the newspaper 'Day'
• Ivan Malkovych, director of the 'A-ba-ba-ha-la-ma-ha' publishing house

'There is no better occasion to meet people than a birthday. Because a phone call or a message is not the same. But to gather together with people you love and respect, who have entered your life-that is special.' Lina Kostenko

Lina Kostenko also shared her thoughts on meeting Ivan Malkovych: 'Ivan Malkovych, whom I have known since I was 19... He was already in Kyiv, a young poet. I heard his first poem and loved it immediately.'

She spoke warmly of Maria Didkovska: 'And Maria, whom I have known only since last year. So it's a discovery, you understand? Because she is the daughter of a teacher. Moreover, she is a person who understands both music and poetry... I blessed her. I put my soul into it. I blessed her for fame, for happiness, for health, for a future that would be the most worthy.'

Maria Didkovska shared her impressions as well: 'I know one thing-there is one video that has already become part of the most essential legacy for my children, especially Vira. And there is one friendship-that I will be proud of for generations to come. Just as there is one person who is the foundation of our nation. I am happy to know about her, to live in the same time as her, to be nearby, and to have the opportunity to do so much together for the future.'

Thus, the celebration of Lina Kostenko's 96th birthday became a significant event for her friends and admirers, who gathered to honor the distinguished poet and her contribution to Ukrainian culture.

This occasion highlights not only Lina Kostenko's personal significance but also her profound influence on Ukrainian literature and culture as a whole. The mention of her enduring friendships and new connections shows that even at an advanced age, the poet remains an active participant in the country's cultural life. The festive gathering served as a platform for the exchange of thoughts and impressions, adding to the event's importance within the context of Ukraine's cultural heritage.

The recent celebration of Lina Kostenko's 96th birthday not only highlighted her remarkable life but also attracted heartfelt tributes from notable figures in Ukrainian culture. To explore the messages of admiration from prominent personalities like Svyatoslav Vakarchuk and General Zaluzhnyi, as well as insights from the publishing world, check out this article on the tributes paid to the legendary poet.