Survey says... these are the top 100 Ukrainian heroes/heroines
by Prof. Roman Yereniuk
The "Survey of the top 100 Ukrainian Heroes and Heroines" was this author's personal unscientific project in preparation for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine (1991-2001).
Each survey form allowed for the nomination of three people each in seven categories. of fields of endeavor. Thus, 21 individuals could potentially be nominated. The survey was distributed widely in person, published in newspapers in North America, such as The Ukrainian Weekly, and the Canadian newspapers Ukrainian Voice (Winnipeg) and Ukrainian News (Edmonton), and posted on the Infoukes website. The project generated much interest around the world, and especially in North America.
The 886 survey participants nominated some 670 different individuals and cast 13,497 votes. The average person nominated 15.2 individuals. To be on the top 100 list , an individual needed a minimum of 21 votes. (There were many ties.) Thus, some 570 individuals received less than 21 votes.
The survey participants
Among the survey participants 53 percent are males and 46 percent are females. The age distribution featured two large groups: 30- to 49-year-olds, who constituted 29 percent of the participants; and those over age 65, 27 percent of the respondents. However, all age brackets are represented, including those age 50-65, 17 percent; 18-29,14 percent; and under age 18, 13 percent.
The birthplace of the participants also revealed two large groups: 43 percent were born in Ukraine and 41 percent in Canada. This is a reflection of both the large older group, as well as the survey's country of origin. However, all areas of the Ukrainian diaspora are represented: the United States, 7 percent; Western Europe, 7 percent; South America, 2 percent; and Australia/New Zealand, 1 percent.
In the category of citizenship, the three largest groups are Canadians, 50 percent, Americans, 21 percent, and Ukrainians, 18 percent. Smaller numbers were Australians, 4 percent; Western Europeans, 4 percent; and South Americans, 1 percent.
The occupations of the participants also are interesting, in that 40 percent indicated that they are professionals, 27 percent are retirees and 24 percent students. The relatively high numbers of these categories is seen especially among those who answered the survey via the posting on Infoukes. Other categories lagged far behind, with a mere 5 percent responding that they are involved in business.
The education of the participants is quite high, with some 30 percent having a graduate degree (either a master's or a doctorate) and 29 percent having at least one university degree. Another 13 percent have some university education (or are students in progress to their first degree) and 12 percent are those with under nine years of education (mostly students from Ukraine who replied to the survey). A much smaller group is those with a high school diploma, 8 percent, and those with some high school, 7 percent.
The nominees - the top 100
The list of the top 100 was generally quite predictable, with few major surprises. The overall top vote-getter was Ukrainian literary icon Taras Shevchenko, who received 85 percent of the votes.
It is the ordering of the list that is more surprising; there is no doubt it reflects the interests and concerns of the participants.
It is interesting to note that all seven categories had representatives, with those who were political leaders and activists leading the field with 22, followed closely by writers and journalists with 21, and cultural and artistic leaders with 19. Further back were 16 religious leaders, 12 athletes and nine academics and scientists. There was only one entrepreneur. These categories were arbitrary and not absolute, for many of the nominees could fit several categories. Thus, the decision was made to place nominees in categories in which they had accomplished the most during their careers and lifetimes.
The number of females nominated was quite low, and only 10 received enough votes for the final 100. The females were only in four categories. The top females were Lesia Ukrainka (No. 4), followed by Oksana Baiul (No. 10) and Kniahynia Olha (No. 16). Ms. Baiul came in very high because she received many votes from young participants (under age 18) and those living in Ukraine.
The nominees were most representative of the 20th century with 76 persons, while the 16th through 19th had 17 representatives. The 10th and 11th centuries had a concentration of seven individuals. Unfortunately there were no representatives for the 12th through 15th centuries. As expected, 80 of the individuals were from Ukraine. The diaspora, meanwhile, was represented by 12 Canadians, seven Americans and one European. Again, these numbers reflect the participants - especially those from North America.
Enjoy the list and talk about it with your friends. Do you agree with most of those named? What are some of the gaps? Your comments are welcome. However remember that Taras Shevchenko is the leader par excellence of the list!
THE TOP 100
Over 85 percent of the vote
1. Shevchenko, Taras (1814-1861), most prominent Ukrainian national literary figure, poet and artist, 756 votes.
Between 50 and 60 percent of the vote
2. Hrushevsky, Mykhailo (1866-1934), distinguished Ukrainian historian, academic, political leader, publicist and writer, 492 votes.
3. Franko, Ivan (1856-1916), writer, scholar, publicist, and political and civic leader, 476 votes.
Between 40 and 50 percent of the vote
4. Ukrainka, Lesia (1871-1913), distinguished poet, playwright and translator, 422 votes.
5. Volodymyr the Great (956-1015), grand prince, unifier and organizer of the Kyivan state and introducer of Christianity as the state religion, 377 votes.
6. Sheptytsky, Andrey (1865-1944), Ukrainian Catholic metropolitan and Church leader, as well as major cultural, educational and civic figure, 371 votes.
7. Bubka, Serhii (1964- ), world-renowned pole-vaulter, winner of the 1988 Olympic gold medal and 32-time world record holder, 365 votes.
8. Mohyla, Petro (1597-1647), Ukrainian Orthodox metropolitan and major Church leader as well as educational, cultural and social activist, named a saint, 356 votes.
Between 30 and 40 percent of the vote
9. Khmelnytskyi, Bohdan (1595-1657), military and political leader (hetman) and founder of the Ukrainian Hetman state, 321 votes.
10. Baiul, Oksana (1975- ), renowned figure skater and winner of the Olympic gold medal in 1992, 310 votes.
11. Mazepa, Ivan (1639-1709), hetman, military and political leader as well as major Church and educational benefactor, 304 votes.
12. Slipyj, Josyf (1892-1984), Ukrainian Catholic metropolitan, later cardinal, theologian and educator, 271 votes.
Between 20 and 30 percent of the vote
13. Ohienko, Ilarion (Ivan) (1882-1972), Ukrainian Orthodox metropolitan in Canada, linguist, philologist, Church historian, writer and cultural figure, 253 votes.
Between 15 and 20 percent of the vote
14. Lysenko, Mykola (1842-1912), composer, conductor, ethnomusicologist, pianist, teacher and community figure, 176 votes.
15. Shevchenko, Andriy (1976- ), major soccer player known worldwide, presently with Milan, Italy, 175 votes.
16. St. Olha, (890- 969) Kyivan princess and regent, first Christian ruler of the Kyivan state, 150 votes.
17. Petliura, Symon (1879-1926), president of the Directory of the Ukrainian National Republic, statesman, publicist and military leader, 146 votes.
18. Klychko, Vitalii, (1971- ), boxer, former WBO heavyweight champion in 1999-2000 (record of 27-1 with 27 KOs), 144 votes.
19. Yaroslav the Wise (978-1054), grand prince of the Kyivan state and major European statesman, as well as great cultural and educational leader, 143 votes.
20. Dovzhenko, Oleksander (1894-1956), great pioneer film director and writer as well as major cultural figure, 142 votes.
21. Chornovil, Vyacheslav (1938-1999), literary critic, journalist, leading dissident and political figure, member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Watch Group, 138 votes.
21. (tie) Kuchma, Leonid (1938- ), second president of Ukraine, mechanical engineer and space engineering manager, 138 votes.
23. Paton, Yevhen (1870-1953), welding scientist and educator, construction technologist and designer of over 35 bridges and viaducts in Ukraine, 137 votes.
Between 10 and 15 percent of the vote
24. Skovoroda, Hryhorii (1722-1794), philosopher, poet and educator, 132 votes.
25. Kotliarevskyi, Ivan (1769-1838), poet, playwright and founder of modern Ukrainian literature, 130 votes.
25. (tie) Puliui, Ivan (1845-1918), physicist, electrical engineer, inventor, translator and community figure, 130 votes.
27. Skrypnyk, Mstyslav (1898-1993), metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A. and patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, major Church, cultural and educational leader, 127 votes.
28. Krushelnytska, Solomea (1872-1952), world-famous opera singer (dramatic soprano) and music educator, 116 votes.
28. (tie) Petrenko, Viktor (1969- ), world famous male figure skater and winner of gold at the 1992 Olympics as well as three-time European and one time world champion, 116 votes.
30. Kravchuk, Leonid (1934- ), first president of Ukraine after its modern independence and political economist, 106 votes.
31. Lypkivsky, Vasyl (1864-1937), metropolitan and co-founder of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and leading Church figure, 105 votes.
32. Bandera, Stefan (1909-1959), nationalist, politician and ideologue of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, 102 votes.
33. Korolev, Serhii (1907-1966), aeronautical engineer and pioneer designer of major guided missiles and spacecraft, 94 votes.
34. Koshetz, Oleksander (1875-1944), composer and arranger of folk and church music, choir director, ethnographer and educator, 90 votes.
35. Mol, Leonid (1915- ), classical sculptor, stained glass and mosaic artist, 89 votes.
Between 5 and 10 percent of the vote
36. Ivasiuk, Volodymyr (1949-1979), composer, arranger and singer of folk and contemporary popular music, 85 votes.
37. Sawchuk, Terry (1929-1970), professional hockey player and outstanding goaltender, 82 votes.
38. Bortniansky, Dmytro (1751-1825), composer, conductor and teacher of opera, liturgical and instrumental works, 81 votes.
38. (tie) Avramenko, Vasyl (1895-1981), choreographer, teacher and popularizer of Ukrainian folk dance, as well as actor and filmmaker, 81 votes.
40. Jacyk, Petro (1921- ), businessman, patron of Ukrainian learning and civic activist, 80 votes.
41. Virsky, Pavlo (1905-1975), dancer, ballet master, choreographer, outstanding artistic director and organizer of the Ukrainian State Dance Ensemble, 75 votes.
42. Tereshchenko Marko (1894-1982), stage and film director, actor and educator, 74 votes.
43. Blokhyn, Yurii (1909- ), literary scholar, community figure and publicist, 72 votes.
44. Sikorsky, Ihor (1889-1972), aeronautical engineer, inventor and helicopter designer, 71 votes.
45. Klychko, Volodymyr (1974- ), boxer and European heavyweight champion (record of 33-1 with 31 KOs), younger brother of Vitalii, 63 votes.
46. Kurelek, William (1927-1977), well-known painter of Ukrainian Canadian, multicultural and religious themes, 62 votes.
47. Archipenko, Alexander (1887-1964), modernist sculptor, painter and pedagogue, 60 votes.
48. Gretzky, Wayne (1961- ), professional ice hockey star, prolific scorer and career NHL leader in goals, assists and points, 55 votes.
49. Borzov, Valerii (1949- ), outstanding international short distance runner and Olympic gold medal winner (100 and 200 meters in 1972), 52 votes.
50. Ilarion ( ? - 1054), churchman and later metropolitan of Kyiv, as well as prominent literary figure of the Kyivan period, 51 votes.
50. (tie) Hohol, Nikolai (1809-1852), prominent prose writer, playwright and teacher, 51 votes.
52. St. Nestor (1056-1114), hagiographer, chronicler, and monk of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, 48 votes.
52. (tie) Kurbas, Les (1887-1942?), organizer and director of Ukrainian avant-garde theater, actor and pedagogue, 48 votes.
54. Kobylianska, Olha (1863-1942), modernist writer and leader of the Ukrainian women's movement, 46 votes.
54. (tie) Vernadsky, Volodymyr (1863-1945), geologist, mineralogist, crystallographer, philosopher of science, politician and political activist, 46 votes.
56. Kytasty, Hryhorii (1907-1984), bandurist, composer, arranger, conductor and teacher of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, 45 votes.
Between 4 and 5 percent of the vote
57. Lubachivsky, Myroslav (1914-2000), Ukrainian Catholic metropolitan and later cardinal, Church leader and theological school mentor, 43 votes.
58. Zankovetska, Maria (1854-1934), major actress, singer, teacher and theater activist, 42 votes.
59. Stus, Vasyl (1938-1985), dissident poet and translator, member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group, 40 votes.
60. Matvienko, Nina (1947- ), renowned folkloric researcher and singer, soloist and member of the Veriovka State Chorus, 38 votes.
61. Konovalets, Yevhen (1891-1938), military commander in the army of the Ukrainian National Republic, political leader of the nationalist movement and community organizer, 36 votes.
Between 3 and 4 percent of the vote
62. Fedkovych, Yurii (1834-1888), Ukrainian writer of the late Romantic school and leader of Ukrainian revival in Bukovyna, 35 votes.
62. (tie) Kubijovych, Volodymyr (1900-1985), geographer, demographer, encyclopedist, academic organizer and statesman in the diaspora, 35 votes.
62. (tie) Hnatyshyn, Ramon (1934- ), lawyer, politician, federal Cabinet minister and later governor general of Canada, 35 votes.
65. Symonenko, Vasyl (1935-1963), poet, journalist and leading dissident and samvydav author, 34 votes.
66. Kondratiuk, Yurii (1897-1941?), scientist, inventor and pioneer in rocketry and space technology, 33 votes.
67. Fedak, Wasyly (1909- ), metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, bishop and longtime pastor, 32 votes.
68. Piddubny, Ivan (1871-1949), world champion undefeated wrestler and strongman for over 40 years, 31 votes.
68. (tie) Shukhevych, Roman (1907-1950), supreme commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, known as Taras Chuprynka, 31 votes.
70. St. Antonii (983-1073), founder of monasticism in the Kyivan state, hermit, ascetic, monk of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, 30 votes.
70. (tie) St. Theodosius (1036-1074), monk and later hegumen of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, reformer of monastic rules, writer of sermons, 30 votes.
70. (tie) Shashkevych, Markian (1811-1843), poet and leader of literary and cultural revival in western Ukraine, 30 votes.
70. (tie) Kolessa, Filaret (1871-1947), musicologist, folklorist and composer, 30 votes.
70. (tie) Repin, Ilia (1844-1930), realist fine art painter and art professor, 30 votes.
70. (tie) Latynina, Larysa (1934- ), world-class gymnast and all-round Olympic female gold winner (1956, 1960 and 1964), 30 votes.
76. Kostenko, Lina (1930- ), poet and one of the leading members of the Shestydesiatnyky, 29 votes.
76. (tie) Hermaniuk, Maxim (1911-1996), Ukrainian Catholic metropolitan of Canada, theologian and major Ukrainian leader at the Vatican II Council, 29 votes.
78. Stupka, Bohdan (1941- ), major stage actor and popular film star in Ukraine, 28 votes.
Between 2 and 3 percent of the vote
79. Denysenko, Filaret (1929- ), metropolitan of Kyiv and later patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate), theologian, writer and Church leader, 26 votes.
79. (tie) Berezovsky, Maksym (1754-1777), classical composer and creator of the Ukrainian choral style in sacred music, 26 votes.
79. (tie) Lobanovskyi, Valerii (1939 - ), major soccer scoring star (1958-1968) and longtime coach in Ukraine and internationally, 26 votes.
79. (tie) Surkis, Hryhorii (1940- ), major businessman and entrepreneur, media mogul, politician, soccer owner and administrator, 26 votes.
83. Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi (1527-1608), Ukrainian nobleman and magnate of Volyn, political, cultural and religious leader of the 16th century Ukrainian rebirth, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Antonov, Oleh (1906- ), prominent aircraft designer of over 60 propeller-driven planes, turboprops, turbojets and sports gliders, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Hnizdovsky, Jacques (1915-1985), painter, printmaker, engraver and book designer, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Rylskyi, Maksym (1895-1964), poet, translator, publicist and community activist, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Doroshenko, Dmytro (1882-1951), historian, historiographer, political figure and community leader, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Yavornytskyi, Dmytro (1855-1940), historian ethnographer, educator and lexicographer and renowned specialist on Kozak history, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Tretiak, Vladyslav (1952- ), leading world-renowned hockey goaltender, winner of two gold Olympic medals (1972 and 1976) and 10 world championships, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Juba, Steven (1914-1984), businessman and politician in Canada, provincial member of Parliament in Manitoba and later mayor of Winnipeg (1956-1977), 25 votes.
83. (tie) Liba, Peter (1940- ), lieutenant governor of Manitoba (1999-present), journalist and broadcast executive, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Chykalenko, Yevhen (1861-1929), civic leader, publicist, publisher and patron of Ukrainian culture, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Amosov, Mykola (1913- ), surgeon and one of the founders of lung and heart surgery in Eastern Europe, also founder of the Ukrainian school of cybernetics, 25 votes.
83. (tie) Warhol, Andy (1928-1987), major pop artist and pictorial designer, 25 votes.
95. Honchar, Oles (1918-1995), prominent writer and novelist of the post-World War II period and head of the Writers Union, 23 votes.
96 Tymoshenko, Yulia (1960- ), former vice prime minister of Ukraine, economist and prominent politician, 22 votes.
97. Sahaidachnyi, Petro (1570?-1622) Zaporozhian hetman, organizer of the Ukrainian Kozaks, political and civic leader, 21 votes.
97. (tie) Krymskyi, Ahatanhel (1871-1942), literary scholar, linguist, orientalist, belletrist, folklorist and translator, 21 votes.
97. (tie) Vynnychenko, Volodymyr (1890-1951), writer, statesman, politician and head of the Directory of the Ukrainian National Republic, 21 votes.
97. (tie) Sterniuk, Volodymyr (1907- 2000), Ukrainian Catholic cleric, bishop and metropolitan active with the underground Ukrainian Catholic Church, 21 votes.
In addition to the 100 persons listed above, another 570 individuals were nominated, each receiving 20 votes or less.
Roman Yereniuk is an associate professor of St. Andrew's College in Winnipeg and a lecturer at the University of Manitoba, Center for Ukrainian Canadian Studies. He is also a school trustee in Winnipeg School Division No. 1 and promoter of bilingual education programs in Canada.
| (All participants were asked to choose only one person in this category.
Of the 886 participants, only 576 submitted a name.) | |
| 1. Taras Shevchenko | 238 (41 percent) |
| 2. Volodymyr the Great | 66 (11 percent) |
| 3. Mykhailo Hrushevsky | 32 (6 percent) |
| 4. Vyacheslav Chornovil | 22 (4 percent) |
| 5. Mstyslav Skrypnyk | 20 (3 percent) |
| 6. Bohdan Khmelnytskyi | 13 (2 percent) |
| 7. Josyf Slipyj | 10 (2 percent) |
| 8. Ivan Franko | 10 (2 percent) |
| 9. Leonid Kravchuk | 5 (1 percent) |
| 10. Stefan Bandera | 3 (.5 percent) |
| political leaders/activists | 24 |
| writers/journalists | 24 |
| cultural/artistic leaders | 22 |
| religious leaders | 16 |
| athletes | 14 |
| academics/scientists | 9 |
| entrepreneurs | 1 |
For further information please contact Roman Yereniuk via e-mail at [email protected], call (204) 586-7089, or write to 139 Machray Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W 0Z2.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 28, 2001, No. 43, Vol. LXIX
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