Kateryna is a story of a maiden whose love is betrayed by a Muscovite or ‘Moskal’ – an epithet that was often used as a pejorative for Russian soldiers or Russians generally. The poem was written by Taras Shevchenko, one of Ukraine’s greatest poets. He is what Goethe is to Germany, William Shakespeare is to England, and what Alexander Pushkin is to Russia. Nicolas Tolmachev has created some provocative illustrations for Kateryna. About the author Taras Shevchenko: One of the key figures in Ukrainian history, Taras Shevchenko was a leading figure in 1800s Eastern Europe. His work spans writing, art & folklore, and is now available in illustrated, English editions. About the illustrator Nicolas Tolmachev: Nicholas was born in Brovary, a small town near Kyiv. He taught himself how to draw and at age 20 he won a study grant for the National School of Fine Arts in France, Paris’ most prestigious fine arts school. After gaining fame in Paris, Nicholas came back to Ukraine.