Friends!

On this day in 1840 was born the outstanding Ukrainian scholar and public figure Konstantin Mykhalchuk. He was one of the founders of the Ukrainian dialects, a man who fought for the development of the Ukrainian language by the end of his days.

Kost was born in the village in Vinnytsia region. At first, he studied in Zhitomir gymnasium and later he entered the University of Kiev. There he became one of the initiators of "chłopomania" - social movement that emerged among the noble youth who sought rapprochement with the "simple Ukrainian people." Representatives of the movement believed that the future of democracy in Ukraine can only exist if it is established communion between the intelligentsia and the peasantry. Soon Mykhalchuk expelled from the university, but these ideas were always smoldering in his heart.

From 1867 and until the end of his life he worked as an accountant at the Kyiv brewery. And it did not stop him to write many extremely important for the Ukrainian language publications. For example, he made a structural description of Ukrainian dialects on the basis of comparison, prepared the first map of Ukrainian dialects. Moreover - claimed the right to unimpeded Ukrainian language development. His articles were published in newspapers and magazines, he struggled for cultural development. For scientific work of Ukrainian Philology Petersburg Academy of Sciences called him a member-correspondent.

Even then, Kost Mykhalchuk wondered about questions that is important for all of us. One of his articles on the pages of newspaper "Delo" was called "What do Russians want from us," and I think you realize what it was.

Historians believe that the contribution of Kostya Mykhalchuk into linguistics is unlimited. They say he was a philologist of Alexander Potebnia level and was not just an outstanding scientist, but also a sincere Ukrainian citizen.

Friends, Ukrainian language survived quite a complicated history of development, passed through oppression and the fact that we can freely communicate with it is a great gift. So, appreciate it!