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 also do not mention writers of 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 a 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 an attentive student of 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?” The Ukrainian writer Stanislav Perfetsky gets to the symposium through 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 in a sectarian worship service: representatives of migrants of 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 was published in many languages, as was another cult work of the 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, 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. On english book was published under the title “Death and the Penguin”, and this version was retained in many languages. Today the novel has been translated into five languages, including English, German, and Italian. Why did the story interest foreign readers? Because this is a very interesting intellectual detective story. Journalist Viktor Zolotarev receives an unusual assignment from a major newspaper: to write obituaries of prominent influential people, although all of them are 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 experience all the vicissitudes of their age, but never betray their friendship. Second story line 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 its 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 - “in an almost biblical way.” 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 hints, of course, at the totalitarian regime of the USSR. Shevchuk’s works have long been published in English, Polish and German languages.

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 a common source for the three fraternal peoples (Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian) - ancient Russian literature.

The revival of 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, was reflected 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 the famous writer Ivan Vyshensky (second half of the 16th - early 17th centuries). During the liberation war of 1648-1654. and in the following decades, school poetry and drama, directed against Latin-Uniate dominance, rapidly developed. The school drama had predominantly religious and instructive content. Gradually she retreated from narrow church themes. Among the dramas there were works on historical subjects (“Vladimir”, “The mercy of God freed Ukraine from the bearable grievances of Lyadsky 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 dramas 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) - the author of the famous works “Aeneid” and “Natalka-Poltavka”, which reproduced the life and way of life of the people, the high patriotic feelings of ordinary people. 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).

The work 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) by T. Shevchenko marked a 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 the feelings and aspirations of the masses. T. Shevchenko is the founder of the revolutionary-democratic trend in Ukrainian literature.

Under the powerful influence of the creativity of T. Shevchenko, in the 50-60s, Marco Vovchok (M. A. Vilinskaya), Yu. Fedkovich, L. I. Glibov, A. P. Svidnitsky and others began their literary activities. Works of Marko Vovchok (1834 -1907) “People’s propaganda” (“ Folk stories")," the story "The Institute" was 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.

The intensive development of culture during this period, the activation of social thought, and the intensification of 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 direction in Ukrainian literature acquired significant development, represented by such outstanding writers - revolutionary democrats as 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 the Ukrainian literature of 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, and the poetry of broad social and philosophical generalizations are affirmed. 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 the creativity and social activities of writers M. I. Pavlik, S. M. Kovaliv, N. I. Kobrinskaya, T. G. Bordulyak, I. S. Makovey, V. S. Stefanik, whose stories I highly valued M. Gorky, JI. S. Martovich, Mark Cheremshina and others.

The revolutionary poet P. A. Grabovsky (1864-1902), known for his original poetic and critical works published in the 90s of the 19th century, reflected the thoughts, feelings and moods of revolutionary democracy in the 80s-90s.

Ukrainian drama, represented by the names of outstanding playwrights and theatrical figures M. Starytsky, M. Kropivnitsky, I. Karpenko-Kary, reached a high level of development in the 80-90s. 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 of 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. Kotsyubynsky, Lesya Ukrainka, S. Vasilchenko was the highest stage of Ukrainian critical realism, organically connected with the emergence of 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 the international unity of workers from 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 “Davnya Kazka” (“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. The scientist and realist writer B. Grinchenko was especially active 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.

At all 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 classical 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 an integral and integral part of the 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 recovery period 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 literary organization of Ukraine joined the ranks of the Soviet Army and 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 promote high morale. Soviet people who rose up to fight the fascist invaders. M. Rylsky (“Zhaga”), P. Tychyna (“Funeral of a Friend”), A. Dovzhenko (“Ukraine on Fire”), perform works of art that depict the heroism and courage of the people, glorify the patriotism and high ideals of Soviet soldiers. 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 the 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, and international unity became leading in Ukrainian literature in 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 were the second (1948) and third (1954) congresses of Ukrainian writers. 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 Communist Party, the principles of friendship of peoples, the ideals of peace, democracy, socialism and freedom. It has always been a powerful ideological weapon of Soviet society in the struggle for the victory of communism in our country.

Already at the end of the 18th century. socio-historical situation that determined the state of Ukrainian literature at that time. During this period fiction in Ukraine cultivated the Old Church Slavonic language: she was far from living colloquial speech Ukrainian people.

An outstanding representative of Ukrainian literature was Ivan Kotlyarevsky, who played a huge role in the further development of literature in Ukraine. He created a wonderful work - a travesty-burlesque poem called "Virgil's Aeneid", which still lives. The significance of Kotlyarevsky’s work lies in the fact that, on the basis of a borrowed plot, he created a largely original plot, vivid artistic images, and descriptions that reflected the reality in Ukraine. Kotlyarevsky managed to create a whole epic of Ukrainian life, the life of different social strata. In The Aeneid, Kotlyarevsky acted as an innovator - he created completely new artistic forms of literary language. Kotlyarevsky was the first to lay living colloquial folk speech as the basis of the Ukrainian literary language.

Kotlyarevsky created two plays in 1817-1818 - “Natalka-Poltavka” and “Moskal-Charivnik”. In 1819, both plays were staged on the stage of the Poltava theater. "Natalka-Poltavka", which is still a success on the Ukrainian stage, has a special artistic value. Kotlyarevsky completely broke with traditional Ukrainian drama of the 18th century. He created an extremely bright, colorful stage performance of folk life, which used all the contemporary achievements of Russian drama and theater.

Kotlyarevsky's work had a huge influence on the further development of Ukrainian literature. A number of writers developed along the path paved by Kotlyarevsky in the field of method, genre, stylistics and versification. Before the appearance of Shevchenko, Kotlyarevsky was the largest and most talented writer in Ukrainian literature.

Pyotr Gulak-Artemovsky began his literary career in the Kharkov magazine “Ukrainian Herald”. His fables were a new phenomenon in Ukrainian literature. The fable “The Master and the Dog,” imbued with liberal-humane sympathy for the serfs, acquired particular significance. In the ballad “Tvardovsky,” which is a free translation of the ballad by A. Mickiewicz, Gulak-Artemovsky also used burlesque style. Only in a free translation of Goethe’s ballad “Ribalka” did Artemovsky make the first attempt to create romantic poetry in Ukrainian literature. Artemovsky’s work was important in the development of literary language and versification.

Evgeny Grebinka published the almanac “Lastivka” (“Swallow”, St. Petersburg, 1841). He wrote a lot in Russian (poetry and prose). Some of Grebinok’s poems in Russian were very popular at one time, for example. romance "Black eyes, passionate eyes." In prose, Grebinka was little original; he imitated Gogol and other modern writers. Hrebinka began writing in Ukrainian while still in high school. His first work was the translation of Pushkin's "Poltava" into Ukrainian. Grebinka was unable to accurately convey the ideological and artistic content of Poltava. Hrebinok’s original works in Ukrainian are mainly fables, published under the title “Little Russian orders” (St. Petersburg, 1834, 2nd ed. 1836). Grebinka borrowed the plots of the fables for the most part from Krylov, but, significantly reworking them, he created original images. Hrebinka's fables are more realistic compared to Gulak-Artemovsky's fables. Hrebinka responded to some significant aspects of feudal reality, exposing bribery, bureaucratic perversions and social injustice in the fables “Vedmezhiy Sud” (“Bear Court”), “Fisherman” (“Fisherman”), “Vil” (“Ox”), etc. The language of Grebinka’s fables is colorful, lively, the verse is light and flowing. In addition to fables, Hrebinka also wrote lyrical and romantic poems, of which we should note the popular song “Ni mom, you can’t love someone you don’t love...”.

Grigory Kvitka-Osnovyanenko began his literary career quite late, in Russian. He wrote feuilletons, stories, novels, plays. The comedy “A Visitor from the Capital” is very close in character to Gogol’s “The Inspector General”. The comedy “Noble Elections,” which depicted the life of the provincial nobility, caused discontent among the noble elite. Kvitka’s comedies are well known: “Shelmenko the batman”, “Shelmenko the volost clerk”. Among Kvitka’s prose in Russian, the most popular was the novel “Pan Khalyavsky,” highly appreciated by V. Belinsky. The novel satirically depicts the life of Ukrainian landowners of the second half of the XVIII V. Kvitka’s second novel, The Life and Adventures of Stolbikov, encountered significant censorship difficulties. Kvitka began writing in Ukrainian later - in the mid-30s. The significance of his work in Ukrainian literature lies primarily in the fact that he is the pioneer of prose, with the exception of some epistolary attempts by Gulak-Artemovsky.

The themes and plots of other stories were folk jokes and proverbs (“Saldatsky Patret”, “From Your Treasures”, “Pidbrekhach”, “Parkhimov’s Dream”). Kvitka often gave realistic sketches of everyday life, masterfully using folk humor and language. In addition to humorous ones, Kvitka also wrote stories of a sentimental nature; despite some artificiality of the plot and idealization of images, many stories produce a very strong impression for the general reader (“Marusya”, etc.). In the story “Serdeshna Oksana,” Kvitka gave a tragic image of a peasant girl deceived by an officer, close to reality. In the genre of “sensitive story” Kvitka proved himself to be a major artist who played a major role in the development of Ukrainian literature

In the 30s a romantic movement arose in Ukrainian poetry, partly reflecting the nationalist tendencies of the dominant social groups in the initial period of development of capitalist relations in Ukraine. Around the same time, there was an increased interest in the study of the history and folklore of Ukraine. A number of historical works appeared (D. Bantysh-Kamensky, M. Markevich) and a number of collections of folklore songs (Tsertelev, Maksimovich, Lukashevich, Metlinsky). The romantic movement in Ukrainian poetry is closely related to the increased interest in Ukrainian history and folklore. Many romantic poets turned their gaze back to the past. Most romantic poets maintained a completely loyal attitude towards the royal system, sometimes quite openly expressing their monarchist sympathies. Hence the presence of reactionary, conservative motives in the work of most romantics.

Progressive in the works of some romantics was the reflection of the historical struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Polish gentry, the desire for nationality, although of a sentimental nature. Romantic poets willingly turned to historical themes and plots, gave images of the past, making extensive use of folklore songs. A number of poets in their works were engaged in stylization of oral folk art. Some poets went so far as to completely conceal their authorship. So eg. the famous Slavic scholar Izmail Sreznevsky, a member of the romantic and poetic circle in Kharkov, publisher of the anthology “Ukrainian Collection”, published several collections of poems called “Zaporozhye Antiquity”. Contemporaries accepted this publication as collections of folk poetry. Only in the second half of the 19th century. it was found out that in the collections “Zaporozhye Antiquity” Sreznevsky also placed his original works, hiding his authorship from readers. He is a prominent representative of Ukrainian literature. Borovikovsky Levko wrote many fables in Ukrainian, but they were published much later, after the death of the author. Borovikovsky was the first to begin translating Pushkin into Ukrainian (“Two Crows”, 1830, and “Winter Evening”). In all his romantic poems, he widely used the imagery of Ukrainian folklore; in his works one can feel the influence of the poetics of Pushkin and Ryleev.

Metlinsky Ambrose (professor at Kharkov University, and then at Kyiv University, publisher of the folklore collection “South Russian Folk Songs”); in the early period of his literary activity, he wrote romantic poems in Ukrainian under the pseudonym Ambrose Mogila. The collection “Thoughts and Songs, and Other Things” includes poems on historical topics, mainly in the genre of ballads, occasionally songs, and sonnets. The most characteristic romantic poems of Metlinsky: “The Death of a Bandura Player”, “Hetman”, “Bandura”.

Nikolay Kostomarov is a famous historian. In the themes and genres of poems collected in the books “Ukrainian Ballads”, “Vetka”, there is little new in comparison with Metlinsky’s position. Kostomarov was especially influenced by Byron, Zhukovsky, and Mitskevich. He is the author of two dramatic works - “Sava Chaly” and “Pereyaslavska Nich”. These romantic dramas depict the era of the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Polish gentry. Kostomarov sometimes depicted events in the opposite direction to oral folk poetry.

Victor scored. arr. lyricist. Most of Zabila's lyrical poems are associated with the poet's intimate experiences. Some of his poems gained wide popularity among the people thanks to the talented music written for them by the famous Russian composer Glinka: “Where is the great wind in the field”, “Don’t chirp, nightingale”.

Romantic poets had some influence on the early period of creativity T. G. Shevchenko, but at the same time, the romanticism of early Shevchenko already had a whole range of distinctive features, characteristic of the great national poet, who played a huge revolutionary role in the history of Ukrainian literature and the creator of realism in the new Ukrainian literature. Shevchenko is the largest representative of revolutionary democracy in Ukrainian poetry, a passionate whistleblower and fighter for true democracy, who reflected in his work the aspirations and liberation aspirations of the broad masses of Ukraine.

The first collection of poems "Kobzar", from early works On historical themes, the most imbued with nationality is the lyric-epic poem "Haydamaky", which was of particular significance due to its revolutionary orientation (it depicts the struggle of the Ukrainian people with centuries-old enemies - the Polish gentry), the skill and power of images. In the poem “Katerina” the poet’s desire for realism is noticeable, although due to the presence of sentimental and romantic elements in the imagery of the poem it cannot yet be called completely realistic.

The period of the highest rise of revolutionary consciousness and the flowering of Shevchenko’s creativity were the years after his return from exile. Great Russian literature (Herzen, Saltykov-Shchedrin, Nekrasov) had a great influence on Shevchenko’s work, enhancing his accusatory, realistic character. Shevchenko became close to the most prominent representatives of Russian revolutionary-democratic thought - Chernyshevsky, Dobrolyubov, who had a significant influence on the poet. IN last years In his work, with renewed vigor, he turned the tip of his poetic weapon against tsarism, landowners, and religion. Shevchenko's poetry had a colossal impact on the subsequent development of Ukrainian literature. There is no Ukrainian poet who, to one degree or another, would not have been influenced by the powerful poetry of the great people's revolutionary poet.

It should be noted that Shevchenko’s contemporary Kulish P.A. (pseudonyms: Nikolay M., Kazyuka P., Ratay P., etc.), who wrote in Russian and Ukrainian. Kulish in Ukrainian literature is best known for his novel “Chorna Rada. By the nature of his activities, Kulish was a conservative, combining his monarchist beliefs with the propaganda of local nationalism.

The writer Marko Vovchok (pseudonym of Maria Alexandrovna Markovich) played a major role in the development of Ukrainian literature. Russian by origin, Vovchok married the Ukrainian folklorist O. Markovich. In 1851 she left for Ukraine, living here until 1857. In 1858, the first book of her stories in Ukrainian, “People's Opinions” by Marko Vovchka, was published in St. Petersburg. This book was a huge success; the stories amazed with their truthfulness, spontaneity, and freshness. The stories from the lives of serfs made a special impression. M. Vovchok exposed the serf owners, their cruelty, depravity, and exploitation. M. Vovchok undoubtedly experienced the influence of Shevchenko’s poetry, although she did not completely switch to revolutionary democratic positions. M. Vovchka’s book was joyfully received by revolutionary democrats, in particular Shevchenko. The book was condemned by the reactionary “Library for Reading”, but it was welcomed by the entire progressive public of the then Russia. In 1859, a book of stories by M. Vovchka in Russian was published under the title “Stories from Russian Folk Life.” Herzen gave a high assessment of M. Vovchk’s stories. In stories from the life of serfs, M. Vovchok painted bright, lively realistic pictures. For some time, Vovchok was close to the Sovremennik circle and published in it the story “Once Upon a Time There Were Three Sisters,” which encountered serious censorship difficulties. But in the subsequent work of the writer, a decline was clearly revealed, a departure from the democratic sentiments of the early period. Vovchok is a classic of Ukrainian literature who had a great influence on the work of P. Mirny and other prose writers.

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 English translation popular novel by Vasily Shklyar "Black Raven". The Ukrainian bestseller tells the story of the struggle of Ukrainian rebels against Soviet power in Kholodny Yar in the 1920s.

The same novel by the writer was translated into Slovak and Portuguese languages, and it was released 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 disfigured by the occupation of Western Ukraine by Soviet troops, was 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. 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 on 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 admired for their psychology, depth, criticality, and some fiction novels for their 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. She won the prestigious literary competition "Coronation of the Word" three times, and her novels are often filmed.

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

The Dutch-English publishing house Glagoslav, which translated Maria Matios’s book, then, in 2012, published Irene Rozdobudko’s novel “The Button” in English.

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 striking example of 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 Makes the Snow" is an instructive story about little babies, friendship and mutual assistance, care and homeliness, 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 known to the Western world not only for her 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 work includes historical novels, 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. In addition, his collection of short stories “Killer. Collection of Stories” was published in separate translations by the Polish publishing house Biuro literackie and a collection of poems by the Austrian publishing house BAES.

Ukrainian literature has come a long way in its development to reach the level that exists in this moment. Ukrainian writers have contributed throughout time, from the 18th century in the works of Prokopovich and Grushevsky to modern works by authors such as Shklyar and Andrukhovych. Literature has developed and been enriched over many years. And it must be said that modern Ukrainian writers are very different from the authors who laid the foundation for Ukrainian literature. But one thing has remained unchanged - love for the native language.

19th century literature

In this century, Ukrainian literature acquired figures who glorified the country throughout the world with their works. With their works, Ukrainian writers of the 19th century showed all the beauty of the language. It is this era that is considered the beginning of the formation of national thinking. The famous "Kobzar" became an open statement that the people were striving for independence. Ukrainian writers and poets of that time made a huge contribution both to the development of the language itself and drama. Many different genres and trends in literature have appeared. These were novels, stories, short stories, and feuilletons. Most writers and poets have taken the direction of political activity. Schoolchildren study most of the authors in school curriculum, reading works and trying to understand the main idea of ​​​​each work. Analyzing each work separately, they come up with the information that the author wanted to convey to them.

Taras Shevchenko

He is rightfully considered the founder of national literature and a symbol of the country’s patriotic forces. Years of life - 1814-1861. The main work is considered to be “Kobzar”, which glorified both the author and the people throughout the world. Shevchenko wrote his works in Ukrainian, although there are several poems in Russian. The best creative years in Shevchenko’s life were the 40s, when in addition to “Kobzar” the following works were published:

• "Haydamaki".
• "Hired woman."
• "Khustochka."
• "Caucasus".
• "Poplars".
• "Katerina" and many others.

Shevchenko's works were criticized, but the works appealed to the Ukrainians and won their hearts forever. While in Russia he was received rather coldly, when he came home, he always received a warm welcome. Shevchenko later became a member of the Cyril and Methodius Society, to which other great Ukrainian writers belonged. It was the members of this society who were arrested for their political views and exiled.

The poet's life was full of events, both joyful and sorrowful. But all his life he never stopped creating. Even when I was passing military service as a recruit, he continued to work, and his work was imbued with love for his homeland.

Ivan Franko

Ivan Yakovlevich Franko is another prominent representative of literary activity of that time. Years of life - 1856-1916. Writer, poet, scientist, he almost got Nobel Prize, but early death prevented him from doing this. The writer’s extraordinary personality evokes many different statements, since he was the founder of the Ukrainian radical party. Like many famous Ukrainian writers, in his works he revealed different problems that worried him at the time. Thus, in his works “Gritseva School Science” and “Pencil” he shows the problems of school education.

It is worth noting that Franko was a member of the Russophile society that existed at that time in Transcarpathia. During his membership, he wrote his works “Folk Song” and “Petria and Dovbuschuk”. Frank's famous work is also his translation of Faust into Ukrainian. For his activities in society, Ivan was arrested for nine months, which he spent in prison.

After leaving prison, the writer temporarily dropped out of literary society, so he was ignored. But this did not break the poet. During the time that Franco spent in prison, and later when he was released, he wrote many works that revealed human shortcomings and, conversely, showed the breadth of the human soul. His work “Zakhar Berkut” received a prize at a national competition.

Grigory Kvitka-Osnovyanenko

The years of the writer’s life are 1778-1843. The main stage of his work occurred precisely in the 19th century; it was during this period that he created most of his masterpieces. Being a very sick boy, and blind until he was six years old, creative path Grigory started only in his student years. He studied in Kharkov and it was there that he began to write and send his works to a magazine for publication. He wrote poems and short stories. This was the beginning of his creativity. The real works that deserved attention were the stories written in the 30s in Ukrainian:

• "Marusya".
• "Konotop Witch"
• "Soldier's Portrait".
• "Heart-hearted Oksana" and others.

Like other Ukrainian writers, Grigory also wrote in Russian, as evidenced by the novel “Pan Kholyavsky”. The author's works are distinguished by a beautiful literary style and simple expressions that are easily perceived by the reader. Kvitka-Osnovyanenko showed excellent knowledge of all aspects of the life of both peasants and nobles, which can be observed in his novels. Based on Gregory’s story, the play “Trouble in the District Township” was released, which was the predecessor of the famous “Inspector General”.

20th century literature

Ukrainians distinguished themselves with their works due to the fact that many of them dedicated their works to the Second World War. Ukrainian literature went through a difficult period of development at this time. Partially prohibited, then studied at will, it has undergone many corrections and changes. But all this time, Ukrainian writers did not stop creating. Their works continued to appear and delight not only the Ukrainian reader, but also other connoisseurs of literary masterpieces.

Pavel Zagrebelny

Pavel Arkhipovich Zagrebelny is a writer of that time who made a huge contribution to literature. His years of life are 1924-2009. Pavel spent his childhood in a village in the Poltava region. Then he studied at the artillery school and went to the front. After the war, he entered the university in the city of Dnepropetrovsk and only there he began his creative path, publishing the collection “Kakhovsky Stories” in the magazine “Rodina”. Among the author’s works there are such famous ones as:

• "Steppe flowers".
• "Europe, 45".
• "Southern Comfort"
• "Wonderful."
• "I, Bogdan."
• "Pervomost" and many others.

Anna Yablonskaya

Anna Grigorievna Yablonskaya is another literary figure I would like to talk about. The years of the writer’s life are 1981-2011. Since childhood, the girl was interested in literature and drama. Firstly, her father was a journalist, wrote feuilletons, and largely because of him, she developed a passion for literature. Secondly, since school Anna began to write poems and read them with pleasure from the stage. Over time, her works began to be published in Odessa magazines. On the same school years Yablonskaya performed at the Natalia Knyazeva Theater in Odessa, who subsequently staged a play based on Yablonskaya’s novel “The Door.” One of the most famous works of the author, which Ukrainian writers talk about, was the play “Video Camera”. In her works, Anna skillfully showed the pros and cons of society, combining different facets of family life, love and sex. At the same time, there was no hint of vulgarity, and not a single work shocked the viewer.

Anna died very early as a result of a terrorist attack at Domodedovo airport. She did not manage to do much, but what she did leave an indelible mark on the literature of that time.

Alexander Kopylenko

Alexander Ivanovich Kopylenko was born in the Kharkov region. Born 08/1/1900, died 12/1/1958. I have always strived for knowledge and learning. Before the revolution, he studied at the seminary, then traveled a lot, which gave him a lot of experience and impressions for further literary activity. Been to Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Georgia. During the war of 1941-1945. worked on the radio, where he broadcast for partisan detachments. Afterwards he became the editor of the Vsesvit magazine and worked closely with many directors, screenwriters and writers. His poems first appeared in 1922. But most of all he wrote prose:

• "Kara Krucha"
• "Rampant hops."
• people."
• "Solid material", etc.

He also has children's works, such as:

• "Very good".
• "Tenth graders."
• "In the forest".

In his works, the writer wrote about many problems of that time, revealed various human weaknesses, covered historical events and battles of the times civil war. Kopylenko's works have been translated into many foreign languages ​​of the world.

Contemporary Ukrainian writers

Modern Ukrainian literature does not lag behind in the number of outstanding people. Nowadays, there are many authors whose works are worthy of being studied in schools and translated into different languages peace. We present to you a list of not all modern authors, but only the most popular ones. Their popularity was taken in accordance with the rating. To compile the rating, Ukrainians were interviewed and asked several questions about modern authors and their works. Here's the list:

1. L. Kostenko.
2. V. Shklyar.
3. M. Matios.
4. O. Zabuzhko.
5. I. Karp.
6. L. Luzina.
7. L. Deresh.
8. M. and S. Dyachenko.

Lina Kostenko

He is in first place in the ranking of modern Ukrainian writers. She was born on March 19, 1930 in a family of teachers. Soon she herself went to study at the Pedagogical Institute, and then at the Moscow Literary Institute. Her first poems, written in the 50s, immediately attracted the attention of readers, and the book “Journeys of the Heart” put the poetess on the same level as outstanding literary figures. Among the author's works are such works as:

• "Over the banks of the eternal river."
• "Marusya Churay".
• "Uniqueness".
• "Garden of Unfading Sculptures"

All of Lina Kostenko’s works are distinguished by their individual literary style and special rhyme. The reader immediately fell in love with her work and looks forward to new works.

Vasily Shklyar

While still a student, Vasily created his first work - “Snow”. Living in Armenia at that time, he wrote about the culture of this people, about their way of life and customs. In addition to the fact that Shklyar created his own work, like many Ukrainian writers, he translated a lot of works from the Armenian language, which earned him special respect. Readers are well aware of his works “Elemental” and “Key”. His works have also been translated into different languages ​​of the world, and book lovers from different countries enjoy reading his prose.

Maria Matios

Maria published her first poems when she was fifteen years old. Later, Matios tried her hand at prose and wrote the short story “Yuryana and Dovgopol.” The writer is loved for her meaningful works. Her books of poetry include:

• "Women's fence in the garden of impatience."
• "From grass and leaves."
• "The Garden of Impatience"

Maria Matios also created a number of prose works:

• "Life is short"
• "Nation"
• "Sweet Darusya"
• "Diary of an Executed Woman and many others."

Thanks to Maria, the world met another talented Ukrainian poet and writer, whose books are read with great pleasure abroad.

Ukrainian children's writers

We should also talk about those writers and poets who create works for children. It is their books that children read with such pleasure in libraries. It is thanks to their works that children from a very early age have the opportunity to hear beautiful Ukrainian speech. Rhymes and stories for toddlers and older children are what authors such as:

• A. I. Avramenko.
• I. F. Budz.
• M. N. Voronoi.
• N. A. Guzeeva.
• I. V. Zhilenko.
• I. A. Ishchuk.
• I. S. Kostyrya.
• V. A. Levin.
• T. V. Martynova.
• P. Punch.
• M. Podgoryanka.
• A.F. Turchinskaya and many others.

Ukrainian writers, the list of which is presented here, are familiar not only to our children. Ukrainian literature in general is very multifaceted and vibrant. Its figures are familiar not only in the country itself, but also far beyond its borders. Works and quotes of Ukrainian writers are published in many publications around the world. Their works are translated into dozens of languages, which means that the reader needs them and is always waiting for new and new works.