Educator-humanist, thinker, pedagogue-innovator, poet, music – in what field did the outstanding Ukrainian figure Hryhoriy Skovoroda not show himself.
The desire for beauty, hard work, love of learning and other wonderful character traits were formed in the philosopher at a fairly young age, which was greatly contributed by his parents.
Varsava – the “son of freedom”, as Skovoroda called himself, led a traveling lifestyle and in all his travels was inseparable from the Ukrainian pipe.
It is difficult to overestimate his contribution to pedagogy.
Hryhoriy was one of the first to express the thesis that the pedagogical process should be built taking into account the special needs of different groups of children.
His students spoke about him with love and gratitude, because he taught as he lived, and he lived as he taught.
Skovoroda had his own evaluation system and above all, he wanted students to stop mindlessly cramming the material and start thinking and analyzing.
During Skovoroda’s lifetime, his works were not printed.
One of the first philosophical works of Skovorody is considered to be … a textbook on ethics, in which he highlighted the idea that laziness is the main flaw of a person.
Skovoroda was never tempted by various positions and higher ranks, because as he wrote: «To me a pipe and a sheep are dearer than a royal crown».
Today, the thinker is a guide to the world of morality and spirituality for Ukrainians, who integrated many of the skills acquired in his own travels in Ukraine, including in the education system.
Skovoroda is the only European philosopher who proved the fidelity of his own vision of the world throughout his life.
The educator also actively popularized his country far beyond its borders and fondly shared his knowledge about his native land and its traditions.
Illustrator Anna Kostyuk
Author Maryna Bolhova