Yuriy Andrukhovych is a contemporary Ukrainian poet, novelist, and cultural scholar. Western critics call Andrukhovych among the most prominent representatives of post-modernism, comparing the role of his works in world literature to the works of Umberto Eco. His novels, essays, and poems have been translated into most European languages. His books are published in Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russia, and other countries. But in those countries, his works are just interesting intellectual reading, whereas for Ukrainians, Andrukhovych means much more. He is one of the pioneers who has proven that Ukrainian literature, and culture in general, does exist, and that it is interesting and worthwhile. Our talk with Yuriy Andrukhovych focused on the processes currently developing in Ukraine, on literature, and more.

– Yuriy, your works and active citizenship changes the mentality of Ukrainians, their attitude toward their culture and history. What are the changes you would like to see in Ukrainian society and mentality of Ukrainians as a nation? What are the positive changes that have already occurred, in your opinion?

– First of all, I would like to thank you for such a positive appraisal of my work, a little exaggerated, in my opinion. Speaking about the changes, let me begin with the second part of your question. I would not say that such changes have already occurred. In fact, nothing has happened in Ukraine yet. Everything is still in the process. The main positive change developing in Ukrainian society is that an increasing number of people here are turning back to their Ukrainian identity. This is seen very differently in different regions of the country, but common ground or basic ideas have already been found. In other words, the old “Soviet” segment is gradually dwindling. At the same time, this segment is still very extensive, and this concerns the first part of your question. The only fundamental change I would like to see now is to have every change in our country taking place much faster and in a more radical manner. In my opinion, Ukrainians are an overly conservative and cautious society.

– Your works have been translated into European languages and are published in Europe. You are called the “most significant intellectual voice of Ukraine” that is revealing Ukraine to the world. What are the ideas you try to impart to the European public with your works and speeches?

– The main idea is that we are a living and pulsating part of Europe with our whole super-tangled system of historical and social visions and concepts, with our whole incredible mishmash, and our national consciousness full of conflicts. And this “other Europe” is always in search of its own identity, balancing between degradation and rebirth. In other words, we are a dramatic country. The fate of the entire continent hangs in the balance here.

– Undoubtedly, you have been asked about Ukraine at your meetings with readers and presentations. Have you been asked any unusual questions?

– Of course. Unfortunately, I cannot currently recall anything worth an anecdote. Most often, the oddity of the situation extends no farther than confusing us with Russia or, to be exact, regarding us as part of Russia. From time to time, I receive a letter from some Western institution addressed to Ukraine but still specifying the country’s subordination to RUSSIA below in capital letters. To be honest, I am already tired of protesting against all this and even make fun of it. But I have to acknowledge that even in this area everything is slowly changing for the better.

– What are you working on now?

– I am a superstitious author and one of my superstitions is that I cannot reveal my ideas and plans before their time, otherwise they will never come true. For this reason, I will only tell you about one translation I have been working on since last year. I am trying to create a new translation version of “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare. This year, the publishing house A-BABA-GALAMAGA of Ivan Malkovych is going to release my translation of “Hamlet,” which I completed a few years ago. Hopefully, “Romeo and Juliet” will come as a continuation of this project.

– Do any European, or maybe not only European, publishers plan to release any of your new works?

– The other day I received mail with a fresh copy of my latest book “Mystery” translated into German by Sabine Stoehr. This is my sixth book published by the reputable publishing house Suhrkamp Verlag. The next one will probably be the novel “Perversion”, but its translation is yet to begin. In the meantime, another German publishing house – Das Wunderhorn Verlag – is preparing for print quite a big and presentable collection of my poems. This is a notable event, since the foreign reader knows me primarily as a novelist and essayist. In France, my novel “Twelve Hoops” will be released soon. And in Italy it is already being translated. In Spain, after the release of a collection of my essays titled “Last Territory” and novels “Recreations” and again “Twelve Hoops,” the “Moskoviada” novel will soon appear in print. I have recently learned that all my Spanish-language books can be acquired in Mexico, Columbia, and Peru. Of course, I am pleased with such a geographic expansion of my works. It is very good news for me.