Ivan Franko (1856–1916)

Hi, there! I’m Liliya and today I’d like to share with you some facts from biography of Ivan Franko, a famous Ukrainian writer, poet, journalist, and political thinker.

Ivan Yakovych Franko was born on August 27, 1856, in Nahuievychi, a village in western Ukraine (then part of the Austrian Empire). He was the eldest child in the family and had two brothers and a sister.

Despite being orphaned early, Ivan Franko received a thorough education. In 1862, his father sent Ivan to a trivial (primary) school in the neighboring village of Yasenytsia Silna. There, the boy learned to count, read and write in Ukrainian, Polish and German. He suffered from the tyranny of cruel teachers. Memories of studying in primary school formed the basis of his stories “Hrytseva shkilna nauka”, “Olivets”, “Schönschreiben”, “Otets-humorist».

While still in high school, Franko showed phenomenal abilities: he could repeat to his classmates almost verbatim an hour-long lecture from his teacher; he knew the entire “Kobzar” by heart; he often completed his Polish homework in poetic form.

In the 1870s and 1880s, Franko was actively involved in journalism and public relations. For a certain time, in particular, in 1890 he was a member of the Historical Society in Lviv. In 1906, he received the title of Honorary Doctor of Kharkiv University. A sign of recognition of Franko’s notable role in the national and cultural revival was the solemn celebration of the 25th (1898) and 40th (1913) anniversaries of his creative activity.

The last decade of Franko’s life was spent mainly in solitude and physical and spiritual suffering. Already from 1900, the writer’s wife suffered from a mental disorder with periodic exacerbations, and from time to time she underwent treatment courses in a clinic for the mentally ill. Starting in 1908, Franko himself suffered from a serious illness. The medications used at that time to treat Franko’s illness, in particular, digitalis, provoked hallucinations and mental disorders in him.

The First World War found Franko in Kryvorivna. Franko was not arrested only because of his serious illness. Ivan Franko died at the age of 59 on May 28, 1916 at 4 p.m.

Franko’s poetic output includes about half a thousand separate lyrical and lyrical-epic works, some of which were published during the poet’s lifetime in 11 collections (including reissues). Franko’s first poem “On Easter 1871” has not survived. It was dedicated to his father, as were the later poems “Saint Valentine” and “The Story of the Salt Mob.”

Some Interesting Facts about Ivan Franko

Franko wrote poetry, novels, short stories, and plays. He also translated works of famous writers like Goethe, Shakespeare, and Byron into Ukrainian.

His literature often focused on social justice, the struggles of poor people, and Ukrainian national identity.

Some of his most famous works include:
“Zahar Berkut” (1883) – A historical novel about the struggle of Ukrainian people against Mongol invaders in the 13th century.
“Boryslav Laughs” (1881) – A novel about workers in the oil industry.
“Withered Leaves” (1896) – A collection of lyrical poems about love and sadness.

Franko was not only a writer but also a political activist. He wanted Ukraine to be independent and worked to preserve and develop Ukrainian culture. Because of his ideas, he was arrested several times by the authorities.

He was the first Ukrainian to be nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1915.

His work influenced Ukrainian literature and national consciousness.

The Ivan Franko National University in Lviv is named after him.

Franko knew over a dozen languages, including Ukrainian, Polish, German, French, Latin, Greek, and even Sanskrit.

He was arrested three times. The Austrian government saw him as a dangerous revolutionary because of his political writings and social activism.

He wrote more than 6,000 works. His writings include poetry, novels, plays, articles, and scientific research.

He loved folk culture. Franko collected and studied Ukrainian folk songs and traditions, using them in his works.

His famous nickname was ‘The Stonecutter’. This came from his poem “The Stonecutters” (“Каменярі”), where he described Ukrainians breaking the “stone” of oppression.

Ivan Franko’s favorite dish was fried mushrooms with young potatoes. He used to go to the forest to collect them himself.

He kept a turtle, guinea pigs, frogs, and rabbits in his house in Lviv. However, he loved dogs the most and had several of them. He would rescue injured dogs from the street and nurse them back to health.

He was friends with Mykhailo Hrushevsky, the famous Ukrainian historian and leader worked with Franko to promote Ukrainian culture.

He married a teacher from Kyiv. His wife, Olha Khoruzhynska, was a strong supporter of his work, but she later suffered from mental illness.

He almost became a priest. His mother wanted him to join the church, but he chose literature and politics instead.

Franko’s ideas and books continue to inspire Ukrainians today.

Ivan Franko and the Vyshyvanka

Ivan Franko was one of the first Ukrainian intellectuals to popularize the vyshyvanka (traditional embroidered shirt) as a symbol of national identity. He often wore a vyshyvanka under a Western-style suit, creating a unique fashion that later became a trend in Ukraine.
This style is now called “Franko’s look” (Франковий стиль) and remains popular today. His famous portrait by artist Ivan Trush shows him wearing a vyshyvanka with a classic jacket.

For Franko, the vyshyvanka was more than just clothing, it was a statement of Ukrainian culture and pride during a time when Ukrainian identity was suppressed.

Because of Franko, many Ukrainian politicians, writers, and activists started wearing vyshyvankas, and today, Ukrainians celebrate Vyshyvanka Day every year.

“Zakhar Berkut” (1883)

“Zakhar Berkut” is one of Ivan Franko’s most famous books. This is a historical novel about the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. The book tells the story of the free community of Tukhlya, a Carpathian village, and their heroic fight for independence.

The main characters are:

Zakhar Berkut, the wise and respected leader of the village, symbolizing justice, wisdom, and patriotism.
Maxym Berkut, Zakhar’s brave son, who fights against the Mongols.
Tuhar Vovk , a local nobleman who collaborates with the Mongols for personal gain.
Myroslava, Tuhar Vovk’s daughter, who opposes her father’s betrayal and supports the villagers.

In Zakhar Berkut, the theme of freedom versus oppression is central to the story. The villagers of Tukhlya refuse to submit to the Mongol invaders, choosing to fight for their right to live freely. Their struggle is not just physical but also symbolic, representing the eternal fight of an oppressed people against foreign domination.

Another important theme is unity and strength. The villagers understand that only by working together can they defeat a much stronger enemy. They set aside personal differences and join forces, proving that a united community is far more powerful than a divided one.

Franko also highlights the value of wisdom over force. Instead of engaging in a direct battle with the Mongols, which would be suicidal, Zakhar Berkut and his people rely on strategy and intelligence. They use the landscape to their advantage, trapping the enemy in a deadly flood. This shows that smart tactics and careful planning can triumph over brute strength.

Finally, the novel explores the contrast between betrayal and loyalty. While some, like Tuhar Vovk, choose personal gain over the well-being of their people, others, like Myroslava and Maxym Berkut, remain true to their homeland. Franko makes it clear that loyalty to one’s land and people is a virtue, while betrayal leads only to shame and destruction.

Through these themes, Zakhar Berkut remains a powerful and timeless story about courage, unity, and the fight for justice. The novel is a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and national pride. In 2019, a movie adaptation called “The Rising Hawk” was released, bringing the story to an international audience. The book is read in schools and remains one of Franko’s greatest works.