Eternal memory to a Ukrainian fighter: Igor Kalynets passed away
On June 28, tragic news came from Lviv - at the age of 84, the heart of the famous Ukrainian writer, dissident, poet and publicist Igor Kalynets stopped beating. He is one of the brightest figures in modern Ukrainian culture and the history of the struggle for freedom and independence. The poet's death was announced by Iryna Klyuchkovska, head of the International Institute of Education, Culture and Relations with the Diaspora of the Lviv Polytechnic National University, who had the honor of collaborating with Igor Kalynets and knew his life path well. This loss is also confirmed by the poet's daughter Dzvinka Kalynets-Mamchur, who shared poignant words about her father and his heavenly flight. According to Dzvinka, today, June 28, at 2:18 p.m., she took him to her heavenly family, taking another important step towards immortality. She touchingly addressed her father's bright memory on Facebook: "Daddy, my dearest, my daddy... Today at 2:18 p.m. your soul flew to heaven. We pray for you, and you and Mom will pray together for Ukraine, our native and invincible." These words are embedded in the hearts of everyone who values his legacy and memory. Ihor Kalynets was born on July 9, 1939 in the city of Khodoriv - at that time it was Poland, and now Lviv region. His childhood and youth fell on a period of difficult political and historical trials that never broke his spirit. After receiving higher education at Lviv University at the Faculty of Philology, he devoted himself to literature and culture. Initially, he worked in the Lviv Regional State Archive (1961–1972), but his active position in the dissident movement became the cause of persecution. In 1972, for his participation in human rights activities, Kalynets was imprisoned for 6 years and served his sentence in Perm concentration camps together with prominent Ukrainian poets and dissidents - Ivan Svitlychny, Vasyl Stus, Mykola Horbal and Stepan Sapeliak. Together they survived the difficult trials of exile, which covered Transbaikalia and the Chita region, in the village of Undino-Posielye, which became a test for their will and beliefs. Described in many sources of this period, the experience of imprisonment and exile made him an even more unshakable personality. After his release and return to Lviv in 1981, he continued the culture of struggle through literature and public activity. Since 1987, he has been an active participant and editor of the self-published magazine "Evshan-Zillya", which has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and revival. His work and creativity were not limited to poetry - he also wrote for children, creating a variety of poems and prose. Several of Kalynets's books have become classics of Ukrainian literature, and his poetry has spread beyond Ukraine, gaining popularity in countries with large Ukrainian diasporas - Kazakhstan, Canada, the USA and Argentina. In total, he is the author of 17 collections of poetry and numerous prose and journalistic works that embody the spirit of indomitable struggle and unconquered desire for freedom. In 1992, his most significant work - a book of selected poems "Thirteen Analogies" - was awarded the Shevchenko Prize, immortalizing his name in the history of Ukrainian culture. It is also important to mention that the life and work of Igor Kalynets became the basis for the creation of the documentary film “Mr. Nobody” (2018), directed by Oleksandr Fraze-Frazenko, which widely presented his biography to a wider audience and allowed us to once again realize the greatness of his contribution to the struggle for Ukrainian independence and modern identity. The loss of such an outstanding Ukrainian figure and spiritual fighter is difficult to overestimate. His life is a vivid example of an unwavering struggle for freedom, and above all, love for Ukraine. The world will remember him not only as a poet, but also as an indomitable fighter and inspirer for future generations of Ukrainians. We bow our heads in mourning and sympathy to his family and friends, and we wish his word and spirit eternal memory.