The literary achievements of Ukrainian writers are not limited to the borders of Ukraine, as their books find their readers all over the world. Learn more about the authors who have made a significant contribution to the popularization of Ukrainian literature

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Books by contemporary Ukrainian writers have long found a wide audience among foreigners. However, the influence of contemporaries on the popularization of Ukrainian literature and culture cannot be overestimated. After all, even international publications have been publishing quotes by Ukrainian authors on the front pages of their print and online editions for years. We are going to tell you about the most famous Ukrainian writers who are read and appreciated all over the world.

Serhiy Zhadan

Serhiy Zhadan's texts are read all over the world, and his works are most popular in the United States, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Hungary, and Latvia. In addition, his collections have been translated into at least 20 languages.

Back in 2016, The New Yorker published a high-profile article titled "A Poet from the East of Ukraine, Where Everything Is Falling Apart," where the main thesis was that Zhadan is an exceptional example of an author from Ukraine who has a significant impact on the opinions of foreigners around the world.

Photo: from FB Serhiy Zhadan

Today, the writer has 5 novels, 11 poetry collections, 2 music projects, 1 film adaptation, as well as many literary and international awards in Switzerland, Poland, Germany, and the United States, the most important of which are:

● Nomination for the prestigious PEN America Literary Awards;

● The Freedom Prize from the Swiss foundation Schirrmacher;

● Peace Prize in Germany;

● Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thinking.

Today, Serhiy Zhadan continues to live and work in Kharkiv, and is actively involved in volunteer activities, helping soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is also important that the writer received two special awards:

● the medal "For the Defense of Kharkiv"

● the award from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine "For Assistance to the Armed Forces".

We recommend starting your acquaintance with the author with the novel Voroshylovhrad or Boarding School.

Oksana Zabuzhko

The Ukrainian innovator became famous back in 1996 when her novel Field Studies of Ukrainian Sex was published. This work actually created a revolution in Ukrainian literature and brought it to a new, modern level. 

Today, Oksana Zabuzhko has published more than 20 books, and her works are known all over the world. Moreover, her books are not just translated into different languages; her novels are staged in European and American theaters. Her philosophical works and essays about Ukraine occupy a special place in the international literary arena.

Also, the writer's activity is important against the background of the full-scale invasion of russia, because she remains a loud voice of the people of Ukraine, and calls on the world to seek justice and an honest view of the events in the country.

We recommend starting your acquaintance with the author with the novel Museum of Abandoned Secrets.

Yuri Andrukhovych

According to Ukrainian critics, it was Andriy Andrukhovych who became the first author from Ukraine to be recognized by a foreign audience. And his influence on the formation of contemporary Ukrainian literature can hardly be overestimated, as he is one of the founders of the postmodernist movement, which is also called the "Stanislavsky phenomenon."

Photo: from FB Yuriy Andrukhovych

Andrukhovych received his first international award back in 1996, and today he has won more than 10 prestigious literary awards, and his works are sold all over the world and translated into at least 15 languages. 

In addition, he is known in the world not only as a poet and author of incredible works, but also as a lightning-fast translator. It was he who translated Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and many other famous works of foreign writers and poets into Ukrainian.

We recommend that you start your acquaintance with the author with the novel Perversion.

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Andriy Kurkov

Andriy Kurkov is a writer whose works have repeatedly been included in European bestsellers, won dozens of awards and prizes, and have been filmed in Ukraine. Kurkov is known worldwide as a lightning-fast author of detective novels and bestsellers with unpredictable and exciting plots.

Today, his works have been translated into 36 languages, and reviews of his works are published in The New York Times. In this difficult time, Andriy continues to be active in public and diplomatic activities, telling foreign journalists about the real state of affairs in Ukraine.

We recommend that you start your acquaintance with the author with the book "Picnic on Ice".

Kateryna Babkina

Kateryna Babkina is one of only three Ukrainian authors to have been awarded the prestigious European Angelus Prize. Despite her young age, the writer has already published more than 20 books, including not only poetry collections and novels, but also screenplays.

Her books have found readers all over the world and have been translated into at least 6 languages.

Photo: Kateryna Babkina's LinkedIn

The writer is currently temporarily based in the UK, as she and her daughter are forced to flee the shelling. Nevertheless, she is active in public life, covering painful topics for Ukrainians among the European audience.

We recommend that you start your acquaintance with the author with the collection My Grandfather Danced Better Than Anyone.

Andriy Lyubka

Andriy Lyubka is one of the youngest Ukrainian writers to gain international recognition. Today, his works have been translated into many languages, and his essays and so-called short forms have gained special favor with foreign audiences. His skills have been repeatedly confirmed at international prestigious awards. For example, in 2017 he received the honorary Shevelov Prize for modern essayism. In addition, Lyubka's books are included in the BBC Book of the Year lists.

In a difficult time for the country, the writer stopped writing and put all his efforts into helping the Ukrainian army. His volunteer work was recognized with a special award from the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny.

We recommend that you start your acquaintance with the author of the collection of essays "Room for Sorrow", or "Saudade".

We remind you that every year brings new achievements for the cultural heritage of Ukraine. Prominent Ukrainian artists actively sell their works at international auctions such as Phillips and Sotheby's. They participate in the Venice Biennale and their paintings can be seen in leading galleries in Europe. More about popular Ukrainian artists whose works are known all over the world was told in our previous article.

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