Andy Warhol - an outstanding representative of the Rusin emigration

This paper dwells on the biography of the world-renowned American artist, designer, photographer, writer, film director, producer, book publisher and founder of pop art and conceptualism, Andy Warhol, whose 90th birthday anniversary will be celebrated in 2018. Andy Warhol (his real Rusin name is Andriy Vargola) was born to the family of Rusin immigrants, who belonged to the Rusin Greek Catholic Church and came to the USA from the Slovak part of the Lemko region in search of a better life. The article tells about the life of Andy Warhol's large family, the reasons of their emigration to North America, Warhol's childhood and youth that have passed under the tutelage of his rusin mother, who inspired her with love of art and creativity. The author draws attention to the fact that in his childhood and adolescence the artist-to-be experienced a marked influence of the rich and multi-faceted centuries-old Rusin culture. The great artist and designer could speak the Rusin language fluently and maintained contact with the Lemko and other Rusin communities in many major cities in the Northern USA and Canada, members and heads of which often invited him to their celebrations, feasts and gatherings and sent him congratulatory addresses and letters. It is stated that though identifying himself as America, Andy Warhol often said in interviews that he was very proud of his Rusin roots and was familiar with the origins and history of his ancestors-Rusins.

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