Volodymyr Vynnychenko (1880–1951), writer, politician, and head of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.

Early Life and Education

Volodymyr Vynnychenko (March 28, 1880 – March 6, 1951) was a Ukrainian writer, journalist, politician, and one of the key leaders of the national movement.

He was born in Haisyn (today Vinnytsia region, Ukraine). Vynnychenko studied philosophy and law in Vienna, Graz, and Kraków. In 1902, he published his first novel “To Fear,” which was immediately banned by censorship.

Political Involvement

In 1905, Vynnychenko became one of the organizers of the Ukrainian Revolutionary Party (URP). Later, he played a leading role in the Union for the Liberation of Ukraine.

During World War I, he served as a deputy in the Russian Duma, where he defended Ukrainian autonomy. By 1918, Vynnychenko headed the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) in the Third Government Coalition. However, political conflicts with Symon Petliura forced him into exile.

Leadership in the UPR and Exile

Between 1918 and 1920, Vynnychenko lived in Europe, where he continued his literary work and public activities.

In 1920, he returned to Ukraine and briefly became head of the UPR Directorate. Yet, disagreements with Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi forced him to leave again.

From 1921, Vynnychenko settled in Prague. There, he became a leading figure in the Ukrainian émigré movement. He edited influential Ukrainian publications such as “Chas,” “Novyi Shliakh,” and “Ranok.”

Literary Work and Later Life

Alongside politics, Vynnychenko was a prolific writer. His works explored social injustice, national identity, and the fight for freedom. His novel “Fear” became a classic of Ukrainian literature.

In 1945, Vynnychenko emigrated to the United States. He founded the Ukrainian Writers’ Union and became its first head. Throughout his career, he consistently promoted the ideas of Ukrainian independence and democracy.

He died on March 6, 1951, in New York, where he was buried.

Legacy

Vynnychenko’s life combined literature, politics, and activism. His name became a symbol of Ukraine’s struggle for independence and its cultural revival.

In 1992, he was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine. Today, streets, parks, and monuments in Ukraine commemorate his contributions to national identity and statehood.