Victor Zabila

Zabila Victor N. (1808 – 20 Nov (2 Dec) 1869) – Ukrainian romantic poet.

Victor Zabila belonged to the glorious history Hetmanate kin. The exact date of his birth is not determined, roughly – 1808. Place of birth – Borzna.

V. Zabila studied in 1820 – 1822 in Moscow High School, in 1822 – 1825 – in the Nizhyn gymnasium. In 1825 – 1834 he served in the army (in the Hussars), retired with the rank of lieutenant.

In 1832, he became engaged to Lyubov Belozerskaya, but the marriage did not take place. Zabila remained a bachelor. In 1834 Zabila began to build his farm Victorov (Zabelovschina), and he held it until death.

Approximately in 1834 Zabila began to write poetry, and at the end of 1836 had a collection of 19 poems (half of his work). At the beginning of 1837 this collection was printed in St. Petersburg, but for some unknown reason has not been released to the public. Now only one instance of it is known.

In July 1838 V. Zabila spent some time in Kachanovka, where he met with the artist V. Sternberg and composer Mikhail Glinka. Sternberg drew his best portrait, and Glinka wrote two songs on the words Zabila. They were printed with notes in 1839 and later sung as a folk songs.

In 1841, in St. Petersburg almanac "Swallow" were published three poems V. Zabila, on the basis of which evaluated his work prior to more extensive publications in 1906.

Somewhere between June 1843 and January 1844 Zabila acquainted with Taras Shevchenko, where and under what circumstances – is not clear. In late January – early February 1847 Shevchenko stayed in Borzna at wedding P. Kulish. During this time he spoke with Zabila, painted his portrait (preserved in redrawing).

Around 1853 – 1861 Zabila served as postmaster station Borzna. In 1855 he enrolled in the militia, but as a result of an accident (broken leg) did not take active part in it.

In May 1861, V. Zabila met in Borzna the coffin of Taras Shevchenko, accompanied it in Kanev, took part in the funeral, and the design of the tomb of Taras Shevchenko.

V. Zabila died in Borzna at November 20, 1869. His grave remained at least until 1905, was later destroyed.

Literary creativity V. Zabila known mainly for two publications of 1906; no autographs, or handwritten copies of his works have not preserved.

Literature

Victor Zabila – romantic poet. – Literature and culture of Polissya (Nezhin), 2009, . – 216 p. [A valuable collection of articles]

Deco A. For biographies Victor Zabila. – Soviet Literature, 1969, № 6, p. 71 – 74.

Fedoruk O. : on the history of personal relationships and literary mutual estimations. – The Chronicle of 2000, 2009, vol. 78, p. 411 – 430.

N. Zh., Feb 13, 2016.