Ukrainian writers and their works. Ukrainian children's writers

Over the years of independence, a whole galaxy of writers with an original style, a special manner of writing and genre diversity has formed in Ukrainian literature. In modern texts there is more openness, experimentation, national color and thematic breadth, which allows authors to achieve professional success not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. prepared a list of 25 Ukrainian writers, forming modern literature, which, no matter what skeptics say, continues to actively develop and influence public opinion.

Yuri Andrukhovich

Without this author it is difficult to imagine modern Ukrainian literature in general. Creative activity began when in 1985, together with Victor Neborak and Alexander Irvanets, he founded the literary association Bu-Ba-Bu. The writer's name is associated with the emergence of the "Stanislavsky phenomenon" and interest in modern Ukrainian literature in the West.

THINGS WORTH READING: From poetry collections - "Exotic birds and plants" And "Songs for a dead song" , from novels - "Recreations" , "Moskoviada" And "Twelve Hoops" . The essays from the collection will be no less interesting "The devil has a home in Syria" , and travelers will enjoy the largest book by Yuri Andrukhovich "Lexicon of intimate places" .

Sergey Zhadan

There is probably no more popular author in Ukraine today than Zhadan. Poet, novelist, essayist, translator, musician, public figure. His texts resonate in the hearts of millions of readers (and since 2008 - and listeners - with the release of the first joint album with the group "Dogs in Space" called "Army Sports Club").

The writer actively tours, participates in public life country and helps the army. Lives and works in Kharkov.

THINGS WORTH READING: All of the author’s poetry collections are worth reading, and among prose – early novels "Big Mac" , "Depeche Mode" , "Voroshilovgrad" and late "Mesopotamia" (2014).

Les Podervyansky

Outrageous Ukrainian writer, artist, author satirical plays. Practices oriental martial arts. In the 90s, his texts were copied from tape to tape and secretly passed between teenagers. Complete collection The works "Africa, Dream" were published in 2015 by the publishing house "Our Format".

THINGS WORTH READING: "Hero of our hour" , "Pavlik Morozov. An epic tragedy" , "Hamlet, or the Phenomenon of Danish Katsapism" , "Vasilisa Yegorovna and the peasants" .

Taras Prokhasko

Undoubtedly, the most mysterious Ukrainian writer, whose voice fascinates and calms at the same time. In terms of his writing style and lifestyle, the author is often compared to the wandering philosopher Skovoroda.

THINGS WORTH READING: One of the author's most revealing works is the novel "Difficulties" . Also worthy of attention: "Annie's Other Days" "FM Galicia" , "The same and the same" .

Yuri Izdrik

Editor-in-Chief of the legendary magazine "Chetver", published since 1990 and aimed at popularizing modern Ukrainian literature. Yuri Izdrik is a poet, prose writer, participant in the musical project "DrumTIatr". Lives and works in Kalush.

THINGS WORTH READING: novels "KRK Island" , "Wozzeck & Wozzekurgy" , "Underwhelming Leon" . An interesting creative experiment is a book project with journalist Evgenia Nesterovich Summa , in which the author shares recipes for happiness, love and understanding of the world.

Oleg Lishega

Poet, prose writer, translator of works by Mark Twain, Thomas Eliot, Ezra Pound, David Herbert Lawrence, Sylvia Plath, John Keats. His work was greatly influenced, on the one hand, by the literature of China, and on the other, by the works of Ivan Franko and Bogdan-Igor Antonich.

Lishega is the first Ukrainian poet to be awarded the PEN Club Prize for poetic translation. Unfortunately, the author passed away in 2014.

THINGS WORTH READING: the writer's most famous prose book "Friend Li Bo, brother Du Fu" , longlisted for the BBC Book of the Year Award.

Oksana Zabuzhko

Cult Ukrainian writer, essayist and translator. The author was first actively discussed in the second half of the 90s. with the release of her novel "Poly's Investigations into Ukrainian Sex", which caused a real sensation in Ukrainian literature. Since then, she has received many awards, including the Literary Prize of the Central and of Eastern Europe"Angelus" (Poland) for the book "Museum of Abandoned Secrets".

THINGS WORTH READING: "Polish investigation into Ukrainian sex" , "Museum of Abandoned Secrets" , "Let my people go: 15 texts about the Ukrainian revolution" , "Map of books and people" , "Chronicles of Fortinbras" .

Natalya Belotserkovets

The poetess is known to Ukrainian readers primarily as the author of the poem “We will not die in Paris...”, which became a hit performed by the group “Dead Song”. She rarely gives interviews and rarely speaks in public, but her texts can be considered classics of modern Ukrainian literature. Almost no anthology of modern Ukrainian poetry is complete without her poems. Natalia Belotserkovets’s poems are light and deep at the same time; they very subtly set the mood and inspire writing.

THINGS WORTH READING: collection "Hotel Central" .

Kost Moskalets

Poet, prose writer, essayist, literary critic. Since 1991, he has lived in the Chernigov region in the Tea Rose Cell, which he built with his own hands, doing exclusively literary work. He maintains an author's blog where he posts poems, reviews and photos. Author of the cult Ukrainian song "Vona" ("Tomorrow I'll come to the room..."), performed by the group "Crying Jeremiah". For the book "Flashes" in 2015 he received National Award named after Taras Shevchenko.

THINGS WORTH READING: among poetry books - "Mislivtsi in the snow" And "Symbol of the Trojans" , prosaic – "The Cell of the Tea Trojan".

Tanya Malyarchuk

Writer and journalist, winner of the Joseph Conrad-Korzeniewski Literary Prize (2013). Now lives in Austria. The author's texts have been translated into Polish, Romanian, German, English, Russian and Belarusian.

THINGS WORTH READING: the writer's early novels - "Burn Down. Book of Fears" , "How I became a saint" , "Speak" , and "Biography of a fall miracle" , included in the “long list” of the 2012 BBC Book of the Year award.

Alexander Irvanets

Together with Yuri Andrukhovich and Victor Neborak, in 1985 he founded the literary association Bu-Ba-Bu. Known as Treasurer Boo-Ba-Boo. Those who follow the author’s work on Facebook know his witty short poems about current events of our time.

THINGS WORTH READING: alternative history novel "Rivne/Rivne" , "Five p'es" "Ochachimrya: Tale and Revelation" , "Satyricon–XXI" .

Andrey Lyubka

Idol of girls, holder of the title "the most eligible bachelor of Transcarpathia", writer, columnist and translator. Born in Riga, lives in Uzhgorod. The author speaks at many literary festivals, actively travels to various scholarships abroad, and writes columns for several publications. Each of his A new book causes lively discussion in in social networks and media.

Worth reading: author's debut novel "Carbide" , as well as his collections of poems: "TERORISM" , "Forty bucks plus tip" and a collection of essays "Sleep with the women" .

Irena Karpa

“Writer. Singer. Traveler” is the title of one of Irena Karpa’s books, which, perhaps, best conveys all the aspects of the author. Recently appointed First Secretary for Cultural Affairs of the Ukrainian Embassy in France. Author of 9 books, numerous publications in the press and blogosphere. Mother of two daughters.

THINGS WORTH READING: early texts – "50 hvilin travi" , "Freud bi cry" , "Pearl Porn" .

Dmitry Lazutkin

This writer combines three hypostases - a poet, a journalist and an athlete. Winner of numerous literary prizes, holder of a black belt (1st dan) in kempo karate, bronze medalist of the World Cup in kickboxing and kick-jitsu, author of 8 poetry collections. Collaborates with the Kozak System group. Many fans know the song “Taka Spokusliva” based on the words of the poet. Actively speaks to the army, often travels to the East.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Petrol" , "Good songs about nasty girls" , "Chervona book" .

Les Beley

Having made his debut with poetry collections, the author attracted even more attention with the release of the novel “Little Maidens”. Love and hate in Uzhgorod." Written in the non-fiction style, the work became one of the first nonfiction novels in modern Ukrainian literature. And for that reason alone it is worth reading. Further filling of this niche and the release of a joint book project with Polish reporter Lukasz Saturchak “Asymmetrical symmetry: field research of Ukrainian-Polish joints” only strengthened the writer’s position.

Les Beley is also one of the organizers of the all-Ukrainian competition of artistic reporting "Self-Widest".

THINGS WORTH READING: "Lehy maidens" yanosti. Love and hate in Uzhgorod" , "Asymmetrical symmetry: field studies of Ukrainian-Polish wines."

Alexey Chupa

The writer was born in the Donetsk region, worked as a machinist at metallurgical plant. Two years ago, because of the war, he moved to Lviv. Since then he has been actively publishing new works and going on tours.

Two of his books – “Homeless People of Donbass” and “10 Words about Vitchizna” – were included in the long list of the “BBC Book of the Year 2014” award.

THINGS WORTH READING: from prose books - "Kazki my bomb-stupidity" and a fresh novel "Cherry and I" .

Elena Gerasimyuk

Young poetess, essayist, translator, winner of several literary awards. She is quite deservedly called the poetic discovery of 2013. The author’s debut poetry collection “Deafness” will appeal to readers different generations. The poems have been translated into nine languages.

THINGS WORTH READING: poetry collection "Deafness".

Sofia Andrukhovich

At the beginning of the two thousandth she made her debut with prose books “Summer of the Millennium”, “Old People”, “Women of Their People”. In 2007, her novel “Syomga” was published, which caused a mixed reaction, with some critics calling it “genital literature.”

After seven years of silence, the writer published perhaps her best novel, Felix Austria. This work is a kind of map of Stanislav (Ivano-Frankivsk - author) from the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, against the backdrop of which love and other relationships unfold. The novel received the 2014 BBC Book of the Year award.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Felix Austria" .

Maxim Kidruk

In his thirties, the writer managed to visit more than 30 countries, including Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, China, Namibia, New Zealand and others. All these travels formed the basis of his books - “Mexican Chronicles. The History of a World”, “The Road to the Navel of the Earth” (2 volumes), “Loves and Piranhas”, “Discoveries in Peru” and others.

The author's works will appeal to those who dream of traveling, but never dare to hit the road. Most of the texts are written in non-fiction style and contain detailed instructions about how to get to a particular country, what to try and what to avoid.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Mexican chronicles. The history of one world" , "Travel to the Navel of the Earth" , "Love and Piranha" , "Navigation in Peru" .

Irina Tsylyk

Irina Tsilyk is a native Kiev resident. She began her creative career in poetry and cinema. She has published 8 books and made three short films. Author of the lyrics of the song "Turn Around Alive", which is performed by the groups "Telnyuk Sisters" and "Kozak System".

Irina Tsilyk’s poetry is incredibly feminine, lyrical and sincere. However, like the writer herself.

THINGS WORTH READING: collections of poems "Tsi" And "Depth of sharpness" , as well as a book for children "THE MYSTORY OF A FRIENDSHIP" .

Yuri Vinnichuk

One of the most prolific representatives of modern Ukrainian literature, he was awarded the “Golden Writers of Ukraine” award for the number of books sold. Author of several literary hoaxes, compiler of anthologies of fantasy and fairy tales, translator. He worked as the editor of the famous newspaper "Post-Postup", where he contributed materials under the pseudonym Yuzio Observator.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Devil of the Night" , "Malva Landa" , "Spring games in autumn gardens" , "Tango of Death" .

Lyubko Deresh

During recent years the writer rarely comes up with new literary texts. And at the beginning of the two thousandth he was one of the most popular authors. He published his first novel, entitled “Cult,” at the age of eighteen. The main characters of his works are teenagers who fall in love, use hallucinogenic substances and search for themselves.

Worth reading: early works "Worship of the Lizard" , "Arche" , "Namir!" , "Trochi by drink" .

Irene Rozdobudko

The writer confidently occupies the niche of “women's literature”. Almost every year she publishes new books aimed at wide audience. For her fertility and popularity she was awarded the “Golden Writers of Ukraine” award. The author works in various genres. Among her books there are detective stories, psychological thrillers, dramas, travel essays, etc. Therefore, every reader looking for light reading on the road in the subway, minibus or bus will be able to find something suitable for themselves.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Gudzik" , "Ziv" or the cards are going out , "Pasture for the Firebird."

Natalya Snyadanko

In 2004, Natalya Sniadanko’s story “A Collection of Predilections, or Benefits of a Young Ukrainian Woman” was published in Poland, which immediately became a bestseller. In his texts, the author often touches on the problems of Ukrainian guest workers and the role of women in society.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Seasonal sale of blondes" , "Herbarium of Kokhants" , "Frau Müller is not prepared to pay more" .

Yuri Pokalchuk

People like him are said to be a “one-man orchestra.” The writer knew 11 foreign languages, visited 37 countries. His Ukrainian translations included works by Ernest Hemingway, Jerome Salinger, Jorge Borges, Julio Cortazar, and Jorge Amado.

In the 90s together with the group "Dead Piven" he founded music project– “The Fires of the Great Place.”

For more than twenty years, the writer has been working on the problems of juvenile delinquents, and also made a documentary about a juvenile colony called “Special Attention Zone.”

His work “Those in the Lord” is considered the first Ukrainian erotic book. Other texts by the author were written in the same spirit: “The Defense Games”, “The Beautiful Hour”, “The Anatomy of Sin”. I am sure that they will appeal to a wide audience.

THINGS WORTH READING: "Defended Games" , "Beautiful Hour" , "Anatomy of Sin" .

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Due to the annexation of Crimea and the war in the east of the country, the world finally learned that Ukraine is not part of Russia. However, identifying our country only with war (or borscht or beautiful girls) cannot be called positive. Ukraine has a rich culture and talented writers recognized abroad.

Tells about Ukrainian writers whose books are translated and published abroad.

Vasily Shklyar

The name of Vasily Shklyar is well known in Ukraine and abroad, and his works become bestsellers. He is well versed in Ukrainian history, and the heroes of his novels are often rebels who fight for the independence of Ukraine.

In 2013, the London publishing house Aventura E books, which had not previously published Slavic literature, published an English translation of the popular novel “Black Raven” by Vasily Shklyar. The Ukrainian bestseller tells the story of the struggle of Ukrainian rebels with Soviet power in Kholodny Yar in the 1920s.

The same novel by the writer has been translated into Slovak and Portuguese, and it was published in Portuguese in Brazil. Shklyar’s fans also read the equally famous novel “The Key” in Swedish and Armenian.

Maria Matios

The works of Maria Matios have repeatedly become the “Air Force Book of the Year” and brought the writer other awards. The author of many novels and collections of poetry is one of the best-selling writers in Ukraine.

Her works are widely represented in the world. For example, the popular novel "Licorice Darusya" about the fate of people mutilated by the occupation of Western Ukraine Soviet troops, published in 7 languages. It is read in Polish, Russian, Croatian, German, Lithuanian, French and Italian. And soon it will be released in English and Serbian.

The family saga “Maizhe nikoli ne navpaki” was published in English in the UK in 2012. And 2 years before that, the English version of the novel was published by another publisher in Australia. The Australian publishing house published the stories "Moskalitsa" and "Mama Maritsa", as well as the short story "Apocalypse". By the way, this novella has been translated into Hebrew, German, French, Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian.

The novel "Cherevichki of the Mother of God" was published in Russian and German languages. And the collection “Nation” can also be found in Poland.

Evgenia Kononenko

Writer and translator Evgenia Kononenko writes simply and realistically about what is familiar to everyone. Therefore, her short and large prose captivates readers around the world.

Kononenko is the author of poems, short stories and essays, novellas and novels, children's books, literary translations and the like. Evgenia Kononenko's short prose can be found in English, German, French, Croatian, Finnish, Czech, Russian, Polish, Belarusian and Japanese.

Almost all anthologies of modern Ukrainian literature, translated and published abroad, contain works by Evgenia Kononenko. Some of them even received names of the same name as the works of the writer included in them.

Andrey Kurkov

One can argue endlessly about whether a Russian-speaking person can be a Ukrainian writer. A similar discussion begins when the conversation turns to Andrei Kurkov.

He is the author of more than 20 books, including adult novels and fairy tales for children. All of them are written in Russian, except one for children, “The Little Lion Cub and the Lviv Mouse.” However, Kurkov himself considers himself a Ukrainian writer, which is confirmed by both his political position and his own creativity.

Andrei Kurkov's books have been translated into 36 languages. Most of the translations are in German. They were carried out for Austria, Germany, Switzerland. A large number of works have been translated into French, English and Ukrainian.

In 2011, his novel “Picnic on Ice” became the first Ukrainian book translated into Thai. In total, this novel has been translated into 32 languages.

And in 2015, his “Maidan Diary” was published in Japanese. The course of events of the Revolution The virtues, reflections and emotions of Andrei Kurkov during the socio-political shifts of the winter of 2013-2014 have also been translated into Estonian, German, French and English.

Oksana Zabuzhko

The popular Ukrainian writer and intellectual is one of those with whom the emergence of modern Ukrainian literature in the international arena is associated. The works of Oksana Zabuzhko are taken for their psychological nature, depth, criticality, and some fiction novels- shockingness.

Oksana Zabuzhko’s work is diverse: she is both an expert on Ukrainian history and a master of feminist prose. It is not surprising that her books are also interesting to foreign readers.

The writer's works have been translated into more than 20 languages. They were published as separate books in Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, Iran, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Russia, Romania, Serbia, USA, Hungary, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Sweden. Theater directors in Europe and the USA stage performances based on Zabuzhko’s works.

Sergey Zhadan

The author of the popular novels “Voroshilovgrad”, “Mesopotamia”, “Depeche Mode” and many poetry collections in Ukraine is no less known abroad. His work is sincere and truthful, his speech is often not devoid of witty words and irony.

One of Zhadan’s most successful novels, “Voroshilovgrad,” was published, in addition to Ukraine, in Germany, Russia, Hungary, Poland, France, Belarus, Italy, Latvia and the USA. “Mesopotamia”, “Anthem of Democratic Youth”, “Suicide Percentage among Clowns” and the like were also published in Polish and German.

Read also: Sergey Zhadan: Many people forget that Donetsk and Lugansk had their own Maidans

In general, Sergei Zhadan’s texts have also been translated into English, Swedish, Italian, Hungarian, Serbian, Croatian, Czech, Lithuanian, Belarusian, Russian, and Armenian.

Irene Rozdobudko

One of the most popular modern writers, journalist and screenwriter Irene Rozdobudko is the author of almost 30 works of fiction. She is among the top 10 writers who are most published in Ukraine. Three times won the prestigious literary competition“The Coronation of the Word,” and her novels are often filmed.

TV series and films "Button", " Autumn flowers", "The Mysterious Island" and "Trap" were filmed from her scripts. Interestingly, Irene Rozdobudko also had a hand in writing the script for "The Guide" by Oles Sanin (who fought, albeit unsuccessfully, for an Oscar in 2015).

The Dutch-English publishing house Glagoslav, which translated the book by Maria Matios, then, in 2012, published English novel Irene Rozdobudko "Button".

Larisa Denisenko

The same Dutch-English publishing house also received the rights to Larisa Denisenko’s novel Sarabande of Sarah’s Gang. The novel is a shining example mass literature.

The light and relaxed work tells the story of people who, at a certain stage, are forced to live together. Therefore, the book contains love, frank conversations, and everyday situations that can make you look at life differently.

Lyubko Deresh

Ukrainian literary prodigy Lyubko Deresh made his debut with the novel “Cult” when he was 17 years old. By the way, this particular novel was published, in addition to Ukraine, in Serbia, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Italy and France.

The writer himself defines the novel as fantasy. However, "Cult" is a more gothic city.

Yuri Andrukhovich

The name of Yuri Andrukhovych is associated with the first facts of interest in modern Ukrainian literature in the West. One of the founders of the poetry group Bu-Ba-Bu Andrukhovich is the author of novels, short stories, poetry collections and essays.

Western critics identify Andrukhovych as one of the most prominent representatives of postmodernism. His works have been translated into many European languages, in particular, the somewhat crazy novel “Perversion” was published in Germany and Poland.

Andruchovic's novels, short stories and essays have been translated into Polish, English, German, French, Russian, Hungarian, Finnish, Swedish, Spanish, Czech, Slovak, Croatian, Serbian and Esperanto. They are sold as separate books in Poland, Germany, Canada, Hungary, Finland and Croatia.

Yuri Vinnichuk

Yuri Vinnichuk is called the father of black humor and a hoaxer due to his penchant for fiction. mysterious stories for your novels. In his prose, the Galician writer usually mixes elements of adventure, love, historical and modern novels.

His works were published in England, Argentina, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Poland, Serbia, USA, France, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. In particular, Tango of Death, published in 2012, became one of the most popular novels.

Taras Prokhasko

Taras Prokhasko primarily writes for adults, but his children's book "Who Will Make the Snow", created in collaboration with Maryana Prokhasko, has attracted the interest of readers abroad. A few years ago it came out in Korean.

"Who will make it snow" is instructive story about babies, friendship and mutual assistance, care and home comfort, and also about who really makes the snow.

His works have been translated into Polish, German, English and Russian. One of the most popular is the novel “Difficult”. It reveals another mythology of the Carpathians in the first half of the 20th century. In Prohasko, the Carpathians are not only an authentic territory, but also an area open to other cultures.

Irena Karpa

The outrageous Irena Karpa is famous Western world not only with his creativity. Since October 2015, he has been the first secretary for cultural affairs of the Ukrainian Embassy in France.

Readers perceive Irena Karpa's work ambiguously. This is evidenced by various ratings and awards: for example, the book “Good and Evil” received both a literary anti-award and a place in the top ten best Ukrainian books of the year.

However, Karpa’s works are published abroad. The novels “Freud Would Weep” and “50 Minutes of Grass” were translated into Polish, and “Pearl Porn” was published in Czech, Russian and Bulgarian.

Valery Shevchuk

Valery Shevchuk is a living classic of Ukrainian literature. A master of psychological prose, he is a representative of the sixties.

His creativity is historical novels, and prose about modern life, as well as literary works. Many of his works have been translated into English. One of the most famous of them is the novel "The Eye of the Abyss". This is a historical-mystical dystopia, the events of which unfold in the 16th century. But in the totalitarian regime that the author describes, it is easy to identify the USSR.

Andrey Lyubka

Lyubka is one of the most successful Ukrainian novelists and poets. The 29-year-old native of Latvia writes poetry, essays, stories and novels in Ukrainian.

Some of his poems have been translated into English, German, Serbian, Portuguese, Russian, Belarusian, Czech and Polish languages. Besides, separate publications His collection of stories "Killer. Collection of Stories" was published in translation in the Polish publishing house Biuro literackie and a collection of poems in the Austrian publishing house BAES.

Being a writer is a special and important job. It is very important to correctly convey your thoughts to readers. It is especially difficult to be a writer, since there is a stereotype that a writer must be a man. Women, in turn, express thoughts more vividly and expressively.

Ukrainian writers are a special flavor of Ukrainian literature. They write as they feel, while popularizing the Ukrainian language, making it huge contribution in its development.

We have selected for you 11 of the most popular modern Ukrainian writers who have brought a lot of high-quality works to Ukrainian literature.

1. Irena Karpa

Experimenter, journalist and just bright personality. She's not afraid to write explicit works, because in them she shows her real self.

Irena Karpa © facebook.com/i.karpa

The most popular works: “50 pieces of grass”, “Froid bi weeping”, “Good and evil”.

2. Lada Luzina

Although Lada Luzina is a Ukrainian writer, she still remains Russian-speaking. WITH writing activity Lada Luzina also combines theater criticism and journalism.

Lada Luzina © facebook.com/lada.luzina

The most popular works: “Collection of stories and novellas: I am a witch!”

3. Lina Kostenko

This outstanding Ukrainian writer is very for a long time was banned - her texts were not published. But her willpower was always higher, so she was able to achieve recognition and convey her thoughts to people.

The most popular works: “Marusya Churay”, “Notes of a Ukrainian Madman”.

4. Katerina Babkina

A poet who is not afraid to write about taboo topics. At the same time, he also conducts journalistic activities and writes scripts.

The most popular works: “The Fires of St. Elmo”, “Girchitsya”, “Sonya”

5. Larisa Denisenko

A writer who can combine incompatible things. She is an outstanding lawyer, TV presenter and one of the best writers in Ukraine.

The most popular works: “Corporation of Idiots”, “Pomilkov’s Interception or Life Behind the Plan”, “Cavous Smack of Cinnamon”

6. Svetlana Povalyaeva

A journalist who can very accurately convey the mood of society with her works.

Ukraine, represented in the best works of our writers, is gradually finding its way to the minds and hearts of readers all over the world. In our selection, we take it for granted that the works of our classics are known and loved by Ukrainian scholars and students of departments of Ukrainian language and literature in other countries. We don't mention writers either. Ukrainian origin who lived and worked abroad, without positioning themselves as representatives of Ukrainian culture: the same Joseph Conrad, who was born in Berdichev, but is known throughout the world as British writer. Writers of the Ukrainian diaspora more than deserve a separate article. Here we tried to gather representatives of modern Ukrainian literature: authors who live and work in Ukraine, whose works are translated and published in other countries of the world.

Polish investigation into Ukrainian sex

Oksana Zabuzhko, Comora

Even if you are one of those who don’t like Zabuzhko, you can’t help but agree that she is a master of modernism, a deep connoisseur of Ukrainian history and a careful researcher human relations. Some novels come to us exactly when we should read them: this one is about the danger of complete immersion in another person, about total love, which requires a woman to renounce herself, her talent, mission and space, her soul and destiny. The novel was published in English, Bulgarian, Dutch, Italian, German, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Swedish, Czech. Other works by Oksana Zabuzhko: “Sister, Sister”, “The Tale of the Kalinov Sopilka”, “The Museum of Abandoned Secrets” are also published in translation abroad.

Perversion

Yuri Andrukhovich, “Lileya”

A completely crazy plot, and it’s clear why foreign readers liked it. Imagine a scientific symposium in Venice, the theme of which is: “Post-carnival world: what’s in store?” Ukrainian writer Stanislav Perfetsky gets to the Syposium via Munich, driven by a strange married couple: Ada Citrina and the mute Doctor Janus Maria Riesenbock. In Venice, Perfetsky, rushing for a prostitute, ends up at a sectarian worship service: representatives of migrants different nationalities worship a new deity to whom they sacrifice at the end of the ceremony big fish. And then the plot twists in such a way that Perfetsky finds its ending only on the remote island of San Michele, having finally discovered the only priest who can listen to his confession and talk to him about Ukraine. The novel has been published in many languages, as well as another cult work author - "Moscoviada".

Mesopotamia

Sergey Zhadan, “Family Dozville Club”

"Mesopotamia" is nine stories in prose and thirty poetic clarifications. All the texts in this book are about the same environment, the characters move from one story to another, and then into poetry. Philosophical digressions, fantastic images, exquisite metaphors and specific humor - everything that is so attractive in Zhadan’s works is here. These are the stories of Babylon, retold for those interested in questions of love and death. Stories about the life of a city lying between two rivers, biographies of characters who fight for their right to be heard and understood, chronicles of street clashes and daily passions. The novel is very popular abroad.

Cult

Lyubko Deresh, “Kalvarya”

“Cult” is the first novel by Lubomir (Lyubka) Deresh. Back in 2001 to the young author was 16 years old. Some people define the genre of this work as fantasy, but, be that as it may, Deresh’s novel “says hello” to such masters of gothic and fantasy as Poe, Zelazny or Lovecraft. The novel has been translated and published in Serbia, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Italy and France.

Picnic on Ice/Death of a Stranger

Andrey Kurkov, “Folio”

Kurkov is perhaps one of the most published Ukrainian writers abroad; his translations of “Picnic on Ice” were published by the best publishing houses. The book was published in English under the title Death and the Penguin, and many languages have retained this version. Today the novel has been translated into five languages, including English, German, and Italian. Why did the plot interest foreign readers? Because this is a very interesting intellectual detective story. Journalist Viktor Zolotarev receives unusual task from a major newspaper: write obituaries of prominent influential people, although they are all still alive. Gradually, he realizes that he has become a participant in a large game of shadow structures, from which it turns out to be an almost impossible task to get out of it alive. Kurkov's works have been translated into 37 languages.

Tango of Death

Yuriy Vinnichuk, “Folio”

The novel was named the 2012 BBC Book of the Year. The novel takes place in two storylines. In the first we meet four friends: a Ukrainian, a Pole, a German and a Jew who live in pre-war Lviv. Their parents were soldiers of the UPR army and died in 1921 near the Bazaar. Young people go through all the vicissitudes of their age, but never betray their friendship. The second storyline has other characters, and its action takes place not only in Lviv, but also in Turkey. Both lines intersect in an unexpected ending. Vinnichuk's works were published in England, Argentina, Belarus, Canada, Germany, Poland, Serbia, USA, France, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.

Difficulties

Taras Prokhasko, “Lileya”

Difficulties - who are they? Hutsuls call people who differ from others in knowledge and skills, which can benefit or harm other people. The novel is dedicated to the “alternative” history of the Carpathians, its action takes place in the period from 1913 to 1951. The Carpathians were both a very archaic environment and, paradoxically as it may sound, a very open zone of intercultural communication. This second myth, about the open Carpathians, is his alternative history. Prokhasko's works have been translated into English, German, Polish, and Russian.

Licorice Darusya

Maria Matios, “Pyramid”

The most famous novel by Maria Matios, rightly called “a tragedy adequate to the history of the twentieth century,” and Darusya herself - “almost biblically" The action takes place in Bukovina, in a mountain village where Darusya and her parents live, and where the NKVD officers come after the occupation of Western Ukraine by Soviet troops. Now Darusya, whom her fellow villagers consider crazy and for some reason call her “sweet,” lives alone. It's the 70s outside. Darusya remembers her young and loving parents, who were “grinded” by the millstones of the regime, and sometimes reminds people living around her of the sins they committed. But a moment comes and Darusya’s life changes. The novel went through 6 reprints. “Licorice Darusya” was released in Polish, Russian, Croatian, German, Lithuanian, French, Italian.

Oko prіrvi/Chotiri romani

Valery Shevchuk, “A-BA-BA-GA-LA-MA-GA”

Valery Shevchuk is a living classic. The publishing house of Ivan Malkovich has released a book with four of the author’s most famous novels, including “Tear the Eye.” The genre of this novel is a historical-mystical dystopia. Its action takes place in the distant 16th century, but the author, of course, hints at totalitarian regime THE USSR. Shevchuk’s works have long been published in English, Polish and German.

Ostannє bazhanya

Evgenia Kononenko, “Anneta Antonenko’s show”

How do writers who lied their whole lives die? They served the regime, wrote books that no one read, although the writer’s family lived in abundance for the fees. No one will leave this life until they tell the truth. Even if a notebook with an autobiography falls into the hands of his son, having lain in a pile of unnecessary drafts for a decade and a half. Evgenia Kononenko is a wonderful author and translator of fiction. Her works have been translated into English, German, French, Croatian, Russian, Finnish, Polish, Belarusian and Japanese.

Ukrainian literature originates from something common to three fraternal peoples(Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian) source - ancient Russian literature.

Revival cultural life in Ukraine at the end of the 16th - first half of the 17th century, associated with the processes of development of the Ukrainian people, reflected the axis in the activities of the so-called brotherhoods, schools, and printing houses. The founder of book printing in Ukraine was the Russian pioneer printer Ivan Fedorov, who founded the first printing house in Ukraine in Lvov in 1573. The emergence of printing contributed to the growth of the cultural community of the Ukrainian people and strengthened their linguistic unity. In the context of the intense struggle of the Ukrainian people against Polish-gentry oppression and Catholic expansion at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th centuries. polemical literature arose in Ukraine. An outstanding polemicist was famous writer Ivan Vyshensky (second half of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century). During the liberation war of 1648-1654. and in the following decades, school poetry and drama, directed against Latin-Uniate dominance, rapidly developed. School drama had predominantly religious and instructive content. Gradually she retreated from narrow church themes. Among the dramas were works on historical subjects(“Vladimir”, “God’s mercy freed Ukraine from the bearable grievances of Lyadka through Bogdan-Zinovy Khmelnitsky”). In the depiction of the events of the liberation war, elements of realism and nationalism are observed. They are intensified in interludes, nativity plays and especially in the works of the philosopher and poet G. S. Skovoroda (1722-1794), author of the collections “Kharkov Fables”, “Garden of Divine Songs” and others, which were outstanding phenomena during the formation of new Ukrainian literature.

The first writer of new Ukrainian literature was I. P. Kotlyarevsky (17b9-1838) - author famous works“Aeneid” and “Natalka-Poltavka”, in which the life and way of life of the people, the high patriotic feelings of ordinary people are reproduced. Progressive traditions of I. Kotlyarevsky during the period of formation and approval new literature(first half of the 19th century) continued by P. P. Gulak-Artemovsky, G. F. Kvitko-Osnovyanenko, E. P. Grebenka and others. Evidence of the originality and originality of the new Ukrainian literature in Galicia were the works of M. S. Shashkevich, and also works included in the almanac “The Dniester Mermaid” (1837).

Creativity of the greatest Ukrainian poet, artist and thinker, democratic revolutionary T. G. Shevchenko (1814-1861) finally established critical realism and nationalism as the main method of artistic reflection of reality in Ukrainian literature. “Kobzar” (1840) T. Shevchenko marked new era in the development of artistic creativity of the Ukrainian people. All of T. Shevchenko’s poetic work is permeated with humanism, revolutionary ideology, and political passion; it expressed feelings and aspirations masses. T. Shevchenko is the founder of the revolutionary-democratic trend in Ukrainian literature.

Under the powerful influence of T. Shevchenko’s creativity in the 50-60s they began literary activity Marko Vovchok (M. A. Vilinskaya), Yu. Fedkovich, L. I. Glibov, A. P. Svidnitsky and others. Works of Marko Vovchka (1834-1907) “Narodsch opovshchannya” (“Folk stories”),” story “ Institutka" were a new stage in the development of Ukrainian prose along the path of realism, democratic ideology and nationality.

The next stage in the development of realistic prose was the work of I. S. Nechuy-Levitsky (1838-1918), the author of social stories “Burlachka”, “Mikola Dzherya” (1876), “The Kaidash Family” (1878) and others, in which The writer created true images of rebel peasants.

The increased development of capitalist relations after the reform of 1861 led to a sharp aggravation of social contradictions in Ukrainian society and to the intensification of the national liberation movement. Literature is enriched with new themes and genres, reflecting the uniqueness of new socio-economic relations. Critical realism in Ukrainian prose acquired qualitatively new features, the genre of the social novel arose, and works from the life of the revolutionary intelligentsia and the working class appeared.

Intensive development of culture during this period, activation social thought, increased political struggle contributed to the emergence of a number of important periodicals. In the 70-80s, such magazines and collections were published as “Friend”, “Hromadskyi Druzh” (“Public Friend”), “Dzvsh” (“Bell”), “Hammer”, “Svt> (“Peace” in meaning universe). A number of Ukrainian almanacs appeared - “Luna” (“Echo”), “Rada” (“Council”), “Niva”, “Steppe”, etc.

At this time, the revolutionary-democratic trend in Ukrainian literature acquired significant development, represented by such outstanding writers- revolutionary democrats like Panas Mirny (A. Ya. Rudchenko), I. Franko, P. Grabovsky - followers and continuers of the ideological and aesthetic principles of T. Shevchenko. Panas Mirny (1849-1920) began his literary activity in the early 70s of the 19th century. (“The Dashing Beguiled”, “The Drunkard”) and immediately took a prominent place in Ukrainian literature critical realism. His social novels “Xi6a roar will, yak manger povsh?” (“Do oxen roar when the manger is full?”), “Pov1ya” (“Walking”) represent a further stage in the development of revolutionary democratic literature. A new phenomenon in the literature of the revolutionary-democratic direction was the work of I. Ya. Franko (1856-1916) - a great poet, prose writer, playwright, famous scientist and thinker, ardent publicist and public figure. After “Kobzar” by T. Shevchenko, the collection of poems by I. Franko “3 peaks and lowlands” (“Peaks and Lowlands”, 1887) was the most outstanding event in Ukrainian literature of the 80s. In the poems and poems of I. Franko, the high ideology of revolutionary art, the principles of new, civil poetry, born in the revolutionary political struggle, poetry of broad social and philosophical generalizations. For the first time in Ukrainian literature, I. Franko showed the life and struggle of the working class (“Borislav laughs,” 1880-1881). The influence of I. Franko was enormous, especially in Galicia, which was then part of Austria-Hungary; it affected creativity and social activities writers M. I. Pavlik, S. M. Kovaliv, N. I. Kobrinskaya, T. G. Bordulyak, I. S. Makovey, V. S. Stefanik, whose stories were highly valued by M. Gorky, JI. S. Martovich, Mark Cheremshina and others.

Revolutionary poet P. A. Grabovsky (1864-1902), known for his original poetic and critical works, published in the 90s years XIX century, reflected the thoughts, feelings and moods of revolutionary democracy of the 80-90s.

Ukrainian drama, represented by the names of outstanding playwrights and theatrical figures M. Staritsky, M. Kropivnitsky, I. Karpenko-Kary. The works of these playwrights, which are successfully staged on the stage and in Soviet theaters, reflect the life and everyday life of the Ukrainian village, class stratification and the struggle of the advanced intelligentsia for progressive art, the people’s struggle for freedom and national independence. The most prominent place in the history of Ukrainian drama belongs to I. Karpenko-Karom (I. K. Tobilevich, 1845-1907), who created classical examples social drama, a new type of social comedy and tragedy. An ardent patriot and humanist, the playwright denounced the contemporary system, revealing the social contradictions of bourgeois society. His plays are widely known: “Martin Borulya”, “One Hundred Thousand”, “Savva Chaly”, “The Master”, “Vanity”, “The Sea of Life”.

In the development of literature late XIX- beginning of the 20th century the work of M. Kotsyubinsky, Lesya Ukrainka, S. Vasilchenko was the highest stage of Ukrainian critical realism, organically connected with the emergence socialist realism.

M. M. Kotsyubinsky (1864-1913) in the story “Fata morgana” (1903-1910) showed the leading role of the working class in the bourgeois-democratic revolution in the countryside, revealed the rottenness of the bourgeois system, and exposed traitors to the interests of the people. Lesya Ukrainka (1871 - 1913) glorified the revolutionary struggle of the working class and exposed the reactionary nature of populist and Christian ideals. In a number of artistic and journalistic works the poetess revealed the reactionary meaning of bourgeois philosophy and affirmed the ideas of revolution and international unity of workers different countries. The Bolshevik newspaper Pravda, responding to the death of the writer, called her a friend of the workers. The most significant works of Lesya Ukrainka are collections of political lyrics (“On the Krills of Shsen”, 1893; “Thoughts and Dreams” - “Thoughts and Dreams”, 1899), dramatic poems"Old Cossack" (" old tale"), "In the Pushcha", " Autumn Tale", "In the Catacombs", the plays "Forest Song", "Kamshny Gospodar" ("Stone Lord") - are among the best works of Ukrainian classical literature.

Under the conditions of the cruel national oppression of the Russian autocracy, along with the creation of works of art, Ukrainian writers carried out great cultural and educational work. Especially active work The scientist and realist writer B. Grinchenko distinguished himself in the national cultural movement.

The literary process in Ukraine was not ideologically homogeneous; there was a struggle between different social and political forces. Along with literary artists of the democratic trend, writers of liberal-bourgeois, nationalist convictions (P. Kulish, A. Konissky, V. Vinnichenko, etc.) spoke.

For everyone historical stages Ukrainian literature of the pre-October period developed in close connection with the liberation movement of the people, in organic unity with advanced Russian literature. Writers who expressed the interests of advanced, revolutionary art fought for realism, nationalism and high ideological content of Ukrainian literature. Therefore Ukrainian classic literature was a reliable basis for the creation of new Soviet literature, born of the October Socialist Revolution.

Ukrainian Soviet literature

Ukrainian Soviet literature is composite and integral part multinational literature of the peoples of the USSR. Even in the early stages of its development, it acted as an ardent fighter for the ideas of socialism, freedom, peace and democracy, for the revolutionary transformation of life on the basis of scientific communism. The creators of the new Soviet literature were people from the working class and the poor peasantry (V. Chumak, V. Ellan, V. Sosyurai, etc.), the best representatives of the democratic intelligentsia, who began their activities even before the October Revolution (S. Vasilchenko, M. Rylsky, I. Kocherga, P. Tychina, Y. Mamontov

In the first post-revolutionary years, books by poets were very popular: V. Chumak’s “Zapev”, V. Ellan’s “Blows of the Hammer and the Heart”, P. Tychina’s “The Plow”, poems and poems by V. Sosyura, etc. The process of establishing Soviet literature took place in a tense the fight against the enemies of the revolution and the agents of the bourgeois-nationalist counter-revolution.

During the period of restoration of the national economy (20s), Ukrainian literature developed especially intensively. At this time, writers A. Golovko, I. Kulik, P. Panch, M. Rylsky, M. Kulish, M. Irchan, Yu. Yanovsky, Ivan Jle, A. Kopylenko, Ostap Vishnya, I. Mikitenko and many others actively spoke Young literature reflected the liberation struggle of the people and their creative work in creating a new life. During these years, a number of writers' unions and groups arose in Ukraine: in 1922 - the union of peasant writers "Plow", in 1923 - the organization "Hart", around which proletarian writers were grouped, in 1925 - the union of revolutionary writers "Western Ukraine"; in 1926, the association of Komsomol writers “Molodnyak” arose; There were also futurist organizations (“Association of Pan-Futurists”, “New Generation”). The existence of many different organizations and groups hampered the ideological and artistic development of literature and prevented the mobilization of the forces of writers throughout the country to carry out the tasks of socialist construction. At the beginning of the 1930s, all literary and artistic organizations were liquidated, and a single Union of Soviet Writers was created.

From that time on, the theme of socialist construction became the leading theme of literature. In 1934, P. Tychina published a collection of poems, “The Party Leads”; M. Rylsky, M. Bazhan, V. Sosyura, M. Tereshchenko, P. Usenko and many others are publishing new books. Ukrainian prose writers are achieving great success; The novels and stories of G. Epik “First Spring”, I. Kirilenko “Outposts”, G. Kotsyuba “New Shores”, Ivan Le “Roman of Mezhygorye”, A. Golovko “Mother”, Yu. Yanovsky “Riders” and others are becoming famous. The theme of the revolutionary past and modern socialist reality becomes the main one in drama. The plays “Personnel”, “Girls of Our Country” by I. Mikitenko, “Death of the Squadron” and “Platon Krechet” by A. Korneichuk and others are performed with great success in Ukrainian theaters.

During the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), a third of the entire writers' organization in Ukraine joined the ranks Soviet army and in partisan detachments. Journalism is becoming a particularly important genre. Writers appear in the army press with articles, publish brochures and collections of articles in which they expose the enemy and help cultivate the high morale of the Soviet people who have risen to fight the fascist invaders. With works of art that depict the heroism and courage of the people, patriotism and high ideals Soviet soldiers, performing by M. Rylsky (“Zhaga”), P. Tychyna (“Funeral of a Friend”), A. Dovzhenko (“Ukraine on Fire”), M. Bazhan (“Daniil Galitsky”), A. Korneychuk (“Front”), Y. Yanovsky (“Land of the Gods”), S. Sklyarenko (“Ukraine Calling”), A. Malyshko (“Sons”) and others. Ukrainian literature was a faithful assistant to the party and the people, a reliable weapon in the fight against invaders.

After the victorious end of the Great Patriotic War, writers for a long time turned to the theme of heroism and patriotism, military valor and courage of our people. The most significant works on these themes in the 40s were “Flag Bearers” by A. Gonchar, “Certificate of Matriculation” by V. Kozachenko, “Chernomortsy” by V. Kucher, “General Vatutin” by L. Dmiterko, “Prometheus” by A. Malyshko, works J. Galan, A. Shiyan, J. Basch, L. Smelyansky, A. Levada, J. Zbanatsky, J. Dold-Mikhailik and many others.

The themes of socialist labor, friendship of peoples, the struggle for peace, international unity are becoming leading in Ukrainian literature of all post-war years. The treasury of artistic creativity of the Ukrainian people was enriched with such outstanding works, like M. Stelmakh’s novels “Big Relatives”, “Human Blood is Not Water”, “Bread and Salt”, “Truth and Falsehood”; A. Gonchar “Tavria”, “Perekop”, “Man and Weapon”, “Tronka”; N. Rybak “Pereyaslavskaya Rada”; P. Punch “Ukraine was boiling”; Y. Yanovsky “Peace”; G. Tyutyunnik “Whirlpool” (“Vir”) and others; collections of poems by M. Rylsky: “Bridges”, “Brotherhood”, “Roses and Grapes”, “Goloseevskaya Autumn”; M. Bazhan “English impressions”; V. Sosyury “The Happiness of the Working Family”; A. Malyshko “Beyond the Blue Sea”, “Book of Brothers”, “Prophetic Voice”; plays by A. Korneychuk “Above the Dnieper”; A. Levada et al.

Important events in literary life there were the second (1948) and third (1954) congresses of writers of Ukraine. The decisions of the XX and XXII Congresses of the CPSU played a huge role in the development of Ukrainian literature, which opened new horizons for the ideological and artistic growth of Ukrainian literature and its strengthening in the positions of socialist realism. The path of development of Ukrainian Soviet literature testifies that only on the basis of socialist realism could it rapidly develop artistic creativity Ukrainian people. Ukrainian Soviet literature at all stages of its development was faithful to the ideas of the Communist Party, the principles of friendship of peoples, the ideals of peace, democracy, socialism and freedom. She has always been a powerful ideological weapon Soviet society in the struggle for the victory of communism in our country.