Olena Pchilka: Part III

Why did the renowned beauty Olha Drahomanova choose the quiet lawyer Petro Kosach as her life partner? Despite his modest appearance, her husband achieved remarkable success. Volyn, where the family settled, had already become part of the russian empire, where he held the high civil rank of Actual State Councillor, equivalent to that of a general or a senior imperial official, who was addressed according to official etiquette as “Your Excellency.” He owned extensive estates, respected his wife's intellectual independence, and fully financed her publishing projects. The couple had six children, and Olena Pchilka developed her own system of home education for their upbringing.

She deliberately kept her children away from imperial state schools in order to protect them from russification. At home, they studied languages, history, literature, mathematics, and the natural sciences. This educational foundation later enabled them to pass examinations and receive higher education. Her son Mykhailo became a well-known physicist, her daughter Olha earned a medical degree, and her youngest daughter Izydora studied agronomy.

The writer's greatest achievement, however, was the project called “Lesya.” She recognized the artistic talent of her second daughter, Larysa, who later chose the famous pen name Lesya Ukrainka (and why she chose this particular name will be explained in our next publications). Olena Pchilka shaped her daughter's worldview, helping her become an outstanding writer and playwright who elevated Ukrainian literature to the European level.

Life brought Olena Pchilka many hardships. She outlived her brother, the renowned scholar Mykhailo Drahomanov, as well as her husband Petro, her son Mykhailo, and her daughter Lesya. Despite these losses, she deliberately chose to remain in Ukraine. Because of political persecution, Mykhailo Drahomanov lived in Europe and repeatedly invited his sister to join him there, but Olena Pchilka decided to continue her work in her homeland. She believed that personal presence and cultural work within the country were the strongest way to protect the nation's identity.

Today, this historical example remains deeply meaningful. During the war with russia, which began in 2014 and brought even greater trials in 2022, the experience of raising nationally conscious generations continues to strengthen Ukrainian society. Parents take responsibility for their children's education and for preserving their language and traditions despite the dangers of war. The experience of the noble Kosach family demonstrates that respect for one's roots and the pursuit of knowledge become the foundation for preserving national identity and strengthening the resilience of a people.