Ukrainian writer Mila Ivantsova doesn’t give up easily. In 2002, the teacher of foreign languages published her first book, a compilation of poetry and prose.
That was followed by another tome. Then, a surprising thing happened: Ivantsova, who primarily writes in Russian, won an honorable mention in 2009 for her Ukrainian-language novel, “Rodovy Vidminok,” in the renowned “Coronation of Word” literary competition.
The recognition changed everything. Ivantsova has written another book in Ukrainian and her works have been singled out by the BBC literary competition. While her success puts Ivantsova in the higher echelon of the country’s literary scene, her creative journey also underscores the amount of effort it takes to become a Ukrainian writer in Ukraine today.
Not only are homegrown writers having to find new ways to shine in a domestic market dominated by Russian imports, Ukrainian publishers are increasingly being squeezed by authorities who see little value in their product.
Ukraine had repressed literature. This is a branch that exists without any help.”– Eleanora Simonova, director of Nora Druk, Ivantsova’s publisher.
“Ukraine had repressed literature,” said Eleanora Simonova, director of Nora Druk, Ivantsova’s publisher. “This is a branch that exists without any help.”
Ukrainian-language writers and publishers have always had to struggle in their homeland, due in part to Soviet policies that led to widespread Russification. The country’s economic downturn, however, has played its part. While bookstores like “Ye” chain have made a concerted effort to promote Ukrainian-language writers, the government hasn’t purchased books from publishers for libraries for more than three years, Simonova said.
Making matters worse, Ukrainian language publishers still do not enjoy the kind of tax breaks their Russian counterparts have, which has spurred development of that country’s book industry. A much-discussed topic, it remains uncertain if Ukraine’s current government will do anything to ease tax burdens.
Now, after a period of expansion, some publishers are on the brink of returning to a time when they undertook bus tours, particularly to the country’s primarily Russian-speaking eastern regions and smaller towns, to ensure Ukrainian-language literature gets into the hands of readers, Simonova said.
Many of them, however, are concerned about the larger political question of how the government and its ruling Party of Regions view the Ukrainian language as such. By many accounts, Ukrainian has taken on a secondary status since President Viktor Yanukovych took office last year.
Writers are so upset that, on Feb. 21, when the nation commemorated Native Language Day, 70 leading writers penned an open letter claiming the country is being divided by the “provocative, aggressive, Ukrainian-phobia politics of the government.”
Paradoxically, despite the challenges, more Ukrainian writers are finding greater creative outlets and recognition than before. The Kyiv-based Korrespondent magazine now highlights the best books of the year while the BBC’s Ukrainian service has launched its own best books project.
Publishing houses are finding new talent and according to many writers, some of the best literary work in the former Soviet space is coming out of Ukraine.
We want to be closer to Europe. Ukrainian culture and history has existed thousands of years. It needs to be renewed.”
– Eleanora Simonova, director of Nora Druk, Ivantsova’s publisher.
Undoubtedly, “Coronation of Word” literary competition has been a driver in finding new talent. Now in its 10th year, the contest is an opportunity for Ukrainian-language writers to get unbiased assessments of their work, while publishing houses can discover new writers.
Since its inception, the competition has resulted in the discovery of 225 new writers, 110 books published, seven films and eight plays. The new literary voices it has birthed include Liuko Dashvar, now one of Ukraine’s best-selling writers, Larissa Denisenko, Iren Rozdobudko and Andriy Kokotiuha.
The contest was established in 1999 by George Logush, an American of Ukrainian descent who is Kraft Foods’ vice president for Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Logush said the idea for the competition came after he got tired of walking through Ukrainian bookstores in the 1990s and finding nothing new on their shelves. “Potential writers had nowhere to be published,” Logush said.
Because the competition is open to works submitted only in the Ukrainian language, it is also an impetus for people like Ivantsova to take the leap and try to express themselves in Ukrainian. It is a more difficult process psychologically than one might imagine.
“I consciously turned to Ukrainian,” said Ivantsova. “I didn’t think I could give the [same] quality in Ukrainian…I had a fight with myself.”
Her effort, however, has paid off. “Rodovy Vidminok” was named as one of the best 20 books in 2010 by Korrespondent. Her latest creation, “Vitrazhi,” a novel which involves the French writer Francoise Sagan, was also up for one of the best books last year by the BBC.
Even as they struggle at home, a major question facing writers and publishers alike is, can Ukrainian writers break onto the international stage. Writers from India, Egypt and Latin America have had a huge following internationally, and publishers believe Ukrainian-language writers can join those ranks. Some, notably Andrey Kurkov and Oksana Zabuzhko, are already enjoying success abroad. Logush said he is sure Ukraine has “world-class” writers just waiting to be discovered.
Simonova said publishing houses are now joining forces so the Ukrainian voice – often seen as exotic to the outer world – can be heard abroad.
“We want to be closer to Europe,” Simonova said. “Ukrainian culture and history has existed thousands of years. It needs to be renewed.”
Kyiv Post staff writer Natalia A. Feduschak can be reached at [email protected].
