At the heart of the story is the history of Ukraine as seen through the eyes of Yakiv Mekh, a long-lived peasant from Volyn. Since childhood, he had been in love with Ulyana, but despite their mutual feelings, her parents married her off to a boy from a wealthy family. Unable to change anything, Yakiv leaves the village. He joins the Polish Army and meets a noble Polish woman named Zosia... His life is marked by wars, captivity, and the loss of loved ones — but its deepest meaning lies in preserving his humanity and capacity to love.
The Century of Yakiv offers a side view of the major events that shaped Ukraine over the past hundred years — told through the life of an ordinary man. Everywhere, people simply want to live and be happy. Yakiv is unwillingly drawn into historic conflicts. He doesn’t try to be a hero, prove anything to anyone, or teach others how to live. All he wants is to build a family, raise his children, and work his land. But life’s circumstances don’t allow it.
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