"Bitterness of the sweet earth": in memory of the heroes of Carpathian Ukraine

August 8, 2009. Transcarpathian Regional State Television and Radio Company. The film "Bitterness of the Sweet Land" is dedicated to the memory of famous and nameless patriotic heroes of Carpathian Ukraine and its President Augustyn Voloshyn. The film tells about the life, pedagogical, cultural and political activities of Augustyn Voloshyn, his work as a teacher and writer, the creation of textbooks and books for the people, and the care of orphans.

The life and political activity of Augustyn Voloshyn are spoken of by: veteran of the educational field of Transcarpathia, honored teacher of Ukraine Mykhailo Almashiy, doctor of historical sciences, professor of Uzhnu Serhiy Fedaka, teacher Maria Chendei, doctor of historical sciences, professor of Uzhnu Mykola Vegesh, resident of Veliky Bychkov Maria Ryabets and doctor of medical sciences, professor Oksana Ganych.

The film uses the historical newsreel of the meeting of the Diet of Carpathian Ukraine, a fragment of the declaration of independence of Carpathian Ukraine and Augustyn Voloshyn's speech before the delegates of the Diet. The events of 1939 are shown, in particular the offensive of the occupying forces on the Sichovs — defenders of Carpathian Ukraine. The national anthem of Ukraine is playing.

Historical events are complemented by the reconstruction of episodes from the life of Augustyn Voloshyn in Uzhhorod, Mizhhirshchyna and Lefortivska prison. Filming took place in spring, summer and autumn in mountain villages in Perechyn Oblast and Mizhhir Oblast, in the Greek Catholic Cathedral and the library of the Uzhhorod National University.

The film was worked on by: the author of the script Dmytro Keshelya, in the role of Augustyn Voloshyn, People's Artist of Ukraine Anatoliy Filipov, in the roles of Roman Zhogin and actors of the Transcarpathian Regional Music and Drama Theater, the text was read by Kostyantyn Linchevskyi, the ballad "Oh, there is a raven croaking on Khust" was performed by Yana Sadvariy, arranged by Vitaly Povkhanych.