Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) was a Ukrainian poet, writer, artist, public, political figure, folklorist and ethnographer. He is seen by many as Ukraine's prophet and his poetry is the foundation of Ukraine' modern literature. He was an orphan, a serf, a Russian titled "Artist", an exile and a lonely figure that was surrounded by a group of literary friends who bought him out of slavery and also bought him his eternal resting place in Kaniv. Find out why this man is so important to Ukriane and Ukrainians - not only during his own time but in these modern times as well. Plus, you get to walk through the Taras Shevchenko Preserve at Kaniv, Ukraine!