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Translations from Ukrainian into English language between 1991 and 2012 a study by the Next Page Foundation in the framework of the Book Platform project conducted by Nadiya Polischuk1


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In our opinion, a greater weight in presentation of Ukrainian literature for European readership should be given to periodicals, and more electronic than printed ones. The most significant in the aspect of promoting Ukrainian literature is “International Poetry” journal, which between 2003 and 2012 published translations of 13 most representative poets of modern Ukrainian literature: Yuriy Andrukhovych, Oleg Lyshega, Halyna Petrosanyak, Natalka Bilotserkivets, Vasyl Makhno, Mykola Ryabchuk, Andriy Bondar, Ivan Malkovych, Oksana Zabuzhko, Halyna Kruk, Sergiy Zhadan, Viktor Neborak, Dmytro Lazutkin as well as interviews with writers: Halyna Petrosanyak (January 2007), Mykola Ryabchuk (March 2005) and articles on the state and main development trends of current literary process in Ukrainian culture: “The Eastern Revenge on the Horizon” (May 2004) by Andriy Bondar, articles by Kateryna Botanova (May 2005, March 2005, August 2004, May 2004), “The Phenomenon of Stanislav” by Golger Gemba (January 2007), “Metaphysical Poetry of Oksana Zabuzhko” by Michael Naydan (August 2004), “Rethinking the High Wall” (May 2005), “We Won’t Die in Paris: On New Ukrainian Poetry” (March 2005), “Small Literature of Great Country” (March 2005) by Mykola Ryabchuk, “The Flying Head” (October 2006) by Yuriy Andrukhovych on Viktor Neborak’s poetry, etc. We should also remember an electronic journal of European culture “Eurozine” where an article by Tymofiy Havryliv on state of modern Ukrainian literarture bearing the title “Literary Prospects: Ukraine. The Yearning for the Novel” was published (Eurozine: http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2007-06-28-havryliv-en.html); it really deserves attention, just as the article by Michael Naydan on modern Ukrainian women’s literature “New Ukrainian Women’s Literature: Twenty Years After Independence” published in World Literature Today, November 2011.13


On a somewhat smaller scale, but “The Ukrainian Review”, a printed journal, also promoted Ukrainian literature by publishing Vira Rich’s poetry translations on its pages.

A no less important factor of influence on popularization of Ukrainian literature in the English language is the participation of Ukrainian writers in various cultural events, festivals and open readings. In this respect we should first of all note active participation of Ukrainian writers in annual International Poetry Festival taking place in Rotterdam (The Netherlands): Yuriy Andrukhovych, Oksana Zabuzhko, Natalka Bilotserkivets, Sergiy Zhadan, Halyna Kruk, Andriy Bondar – between 2005 and 2012, International Literature Festival in Edinburgh (Scotland) o Ihor Pavlyuk in 2006, Maryana Savka in 2008, and Andriy Kurkov in 2011. In May 2011, the literary readings organized upon the initative of Ukrainian Studies department in Cambridge University hosted presentation of “Vsesvit” (“The Universe”), a Ukrainian journal of foreign literature; the journal representatives also participated in the meeting on Ukrainian-Jewish contacts with a selected presentation of poems by Jewish authors of Ukrainian origin, in Ukrainian and English languages: A. Oz, A. Appelfeld, N.Kh. Byalyk (May 2012).

In the context of popularizing Ukrainian literature among English-speaking readers in Europe and the world in general, two other significant events took place: English-language publications of 1) a literary almanac of selected works by the youngest generation of Ukrainian writers with the support of British Council in Ukraine, Forum of Publishers NGO and International Literature Festival (Half a Breath: A Brief Anthology of Young Ukrainian Writers: TEKA Publishing House, 2009); 2) another almanac (Contemporary Ukrainian Literature: Review, 2009) with the financial help of Open Ukraine charity fund.

As for the abovementioned forms of Ukrainian literature promotion in English-speaking world beyond Europe, a most significant role of its translators should be noted: Michael Naydan, Larysa Onyshkevych-Zaleska, Marko Pavlyshyn, Yuriy Tkacz, Vitaliy Chernetsky, Askold Melnychuk, Virlyana Tkacz, Vanda Phipps, Roma Franko, Ulyana Pasichnyk, Patrick Cornes, as well as the younger generation – Marko Andreychyk, Dzvina Orlovska, Olena Jenning, Yaryna Yakubyak, and Marta Bazyuk.

If we analyze the role of publishing houses, special attention should be paid to: 1) private initiative of Roma Franko and Sonya Morris who founded a small private publishing house “Language Lanterns Publications” (Toronto, Canada); it specializes in publication of antology of classical prose (four books of male prose – 2004, 2008; two books of female prose – 2000; four more books before 2000) as well as modern prose (selected prose by Anatoliy Dimarov (2001), antology of modern prose – Anatoliy Dimarov, Yevhen Hutsalo, Olena Zvychayna (2002)), plus Ukrainian small prose and four books of prose by Ivan Franko (2006); 2) “Toronto University Press”, a publishing house of scientific literature in humanities and social sciences – six publications.

As for periodicals, we should single out three issues of Ukrainian Literature. A Journal of Translations (2004, 2007, 2011) edited by Maxim Tarnawsky and a theme issue of “International Poetry Review” (IPR, Issue XXXVII 2, Fall 2010) edited by Michael Naydan and dedicated to Ukrainian poetry.

Among cultural events, a translation project initiated by Marko Andreychyk “Contemporary Ukrainian Literature. Series” really stands out. It was implemented thanks to the support of Ukrainian Studies in the Harriman Institute of Columbia University and Kennan Institute (USA); under its aegis, a range of meetings of Ukrainian writers with American readers was organized.

VII. Reaction to translation

If we are to describe the reaction to translations of Ukrainian literature into the English language, it is rather difficult to stay unambiguous. The analysis of book publications in the EU countries shows that the total amount of published translations is 21 titles; twenty are dedicated to prose and only one contains poetry – besides, it was published in Austria. Second editions were provided for only one writer, Andriy Kurkov: these are novels The Milkman in the Night (2012 and 2011), The Presidents Last Love (2009 and 2007), A Matter of Death and Life (2010 and 2005); there were three editions of his novels The Case of the Generals Thumb (2009, 2004, and 2003), Penguin Lost (2010, 2005 and 2004), and Death and the Penguin (2010, 2003 and 2001). He is also the only Ukrainian writer whose works are widely publicized in leading British media in the form of interviews (The Independent: One Minute With: Andrey Kurkov, novelist by Boyd Tonkin – August 12, 2011), articles about his creative works (The Guardian: A life in books: Andrey Kurkov by Nicholas Wroe), or book reviews – to such novels as The Milkman in the Night (Financial Times (by Marina Lewycka) – July 29, 2011; The Scotsman – August 1, 2011), and The President’s Last Love (The Independent (by Barry Forshaw) – September 28, 2007). In the US, Canada or Australia it is much harder to track down the reaction to translations of Ukrainian literature; we can only list reviews of translations by Michael Naydan published in such journals as “Slavic and East European Journal”, “The Review of Contemporary Fiction”, “The Complete Review”, “World Literature Today”, etc.



VIII. Final provisions and recommendations

The general analysis of Ukrainian literature translations into English encompassing the period between 2000 and 2013 testifies to gradual, though extremely slow and little noticed familiarization of English-speaking readership with products of Ukrainian origin. Such weak and slow process of extending book market is explained by many objective reasons, several of which should be named. Though more than twenty years have passed since Ukraine’s independent status, its reception in the world is often incomplete, in particular in the field of culture and, more specifically, in literature. The country itself is mostly to blame for the lack of the necessary information; there is no consistent and balanced cultural policy to promote Ukraine in contemporary informational world; leading state institutions – Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education, Science, Youth and Sports – remain passive, while their direct task is to promote achievements of their own culture in the intellectual space of modern world; there are practically no forms of state financial support to stimulate various translation projects with the aim of presenting Ukrainian literary products to a wide circle of consumers. On the other hand, the number of Ukrainian experts in fiction translation is insignificant; that is why Ukrainian literature – more classical than modern – remains in a certain artistic and cultural vacuum which can be overcome only by personal contacts of Ukrainian writers and rare initiatives of individuals or NGOs. A substantial reason for such cultural isolation of Ukraine is a small number of translators from Ukrainian language with regard to high productivity and active development of contemporary literature as well as huge volumes of literature from previous generations.

However, contrary to unfavorable conditions translations of Ukrainian literature into English are developing, and some positive trends in comparison with the previous period, until 2000, can be noted. First of all we should state that the quality of translations, with very few exceptions, is very high, the quality of printing and design has improved according to modern polygraphy standards, and with constant development of informational technologies new possibilities keep emerging, such as publications in electronic format.

For improvement of the state of Ukrainian literature translations, we deem it necessary to provide several recommendations:



  1. To promote Ukrainian literature among English readership on a state level in a more active way, which envisages the following: a) stimulating translations of Ukrainian literature thanks to programs, grands, scholarships, awards or other types of state recognition14 for translators from Ukrainian language; б) providing financial support for participation of Ukrainian writers in international literary and art festivals, open literary readings, etc.

  2. To establish closer international cooperation in culture and art (literature) with mediation of British Council in Ukraine to inform stakeholders (writers, translators) about important events in cultural life of Ukraine and the UK and to encourage their participation in those.

  3. To conduct international exchange among highly qualified fiction translators for enrichment of professional experience and holding workshops, in the framework of scholarships, grants, study programs, summer schools and international scientific conferences and forums dedicated to the issues of fiction translation.

  4. To train young experts in Ukrainian-English fiction translation on the basis of Ukrainian schools (Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Kyiv National Linguistic University, Lviv National Ivan Franko University), Ukrainian studies department of Cambridge University and Institute of Ukrainian Studies in London with the prospect of further internships in the British Centre for Literary Translation in London and organization of translation workshops in scientific centers.

  5. To promote the achievements of classical and modern Ukrainian literature by publishing review articles or issuing theme publications of literary and art journals “The Ukrainian Review” and “Modern Poetry in Translation”, to record interviews with leading writers on British radio and TV.

  6. To offer joint publishing projects interesting for both parties, in particular publication of theme antologies or series by genre (poetry, small prose, essays), style (modern, postmodern small prose, classical / modern poetry, gothic novels, detective stories), or gender (male / female small prose); audiobooks of poetry and small prose.




1 Nadiya Polischuk is a literary studies scholar, Ph.D., dean of world literature chair; teaches courses on world literature of the 19th and 20th centuries and methodology of contemporary literary studies. During the research, informational support was provided by Vasyl Gabor, Ukrainian writer and publisher, and Nadiya Matviyiv, assistant professor of the chair of translation studies and contrastive linguistics named after Hryhoriy Kochur in Lviv National Ivan Franko University.

2 Anna Ivanchenko is translator and interpreter

3 Maxim Tarnawsky. Introduction // Ukrainian Literature/ a Journal of Translations/ Vol. 1, 2004 – http://www.utoronto.ca/elul/Ukr_Lit/Vol01/

4 A full bibliography of Vira Rich’s translations is provided in the following monograph: Г. Косів. Віра Річ: Творчий портрет перекладача. – Львів: Піраміда, 2011. – С.207-228.

5 A full bibliography of Ukrainian literature is provided in annotated bibliography of Canadian researcher Marta Tarnawska available at http://www.utoronto.ca/elul/English/ULE/

6 http://www.applevalleyreview.com

7 http://www.barnwoodpress.org/Site_33/Komarnyskij.html

8 http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/six-poems-yuri-andrukhovych/

9 18 April, 2011:http:// qarrtsiluni.com/2011/04/18/two-ukrainian-poems-by-yuri-andrukhovych/

10 Issue 12:http://www.madhattersreview.com/issue12/feature_ussr_andrukhovych.shtml

11 Дмитро Дроздовський. Поетична історія України: погляд із туманного Альбіону // Всесвіт. 2007. № 5-6. С. 186.

12 Стівен Комарницький. Інтеграція України в Європу має розпочатися на рівні діалогу культур // Всесвіт. 2012. № 5-6. С. 173.

13 http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2011/november/emerging-ukrainian-women-prose-writers-twenty-years-after-independence#.URMDe6W6d8t)


14 As of now, only one state award has been given to translator from Ukrainian into English language, namely to Vira Rich who received Ivan Franko Prize in 1997 (from the National Union of Writers of Ukraine), and the Order of Princess Olga in 2007. However, several awards for high achievements in translation were given out abroad: to Michael Naydan, Eugene Cayden Translation Prize from the University of Colorado (1993) and a prize from American Ukrainian Linguists Association (1996); and to James Bresfield, a translation prize from International Pen Club (1999).

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