Living stories about poet Maksym Rylsky—Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (1943), Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Ukraine (1943–1946), director of the Institute of Art Studies, Folklore, and Ethnography (1944–1964)—were heard by students, faculty, and staff of KPI, as well as everyone who visited the Scientific and Technical Library on March 17 for a meeting with his grandson—also named Maksym Rylsky, a writer, public figure, and Honored Journalist of Ukraine.
They spoke about the difficult times during which the poet’s creative work, his friends, and his interests flourished. About his poetry: a refined admiration for the beauty of nature and humanity’s place within it, the civic stance of a person and a patriot, and so on. And as a summary of what we heard: let us cherish the spiritual values acquired by older generations. After all, national culture is the foundation of national identity. Giving meaning to life, directing feelings and thoughts—all of this is born in the space called culture.