The idea of the festival originated before the Euromaidan events during a conversation in Iasi (Romania) between Kyiv novelist Andrey Kurkov and organizers of cultural events Ulrich Schreiber from Berlin and Hans Ruprecht from Bern. They chose Odesa as the venue for historical, ethnic, and geopolitical reasons. People who lived, worked, and contributed to the literature in the city included such masters as Adam Mickiewicz, Alexander Pushkin, Isaac Babel, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Ilya Ilf, and Yevgeny Petrov...
Odesa has always been at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, with its formation influenced by Greek, Romanian, Turkish, Bulgarian, and Georgian cultures. That is why, according to organizers Schreiber and Ruprecht, the literature festival aimed to emphasize the cultural influence of Southern Palmyra [Odesa’s nickname. – Ed.] and to reinforce links with other metropolises of Europe and the world.
“Odesa has experience in holding international jazz festivals, but it never hosted a literary event of this magnitude before,” remarked Olena Pavlova, director of the World Club of Odesites and culture advisor to the mayor. “I would like to recall the words of Pope John Paul II who said that Odesa had to be the border and the door between East and West, so it was no accident that the International Literary Festival was founded in our city.”
The forum’s program reflected the idea of multiculturalism, as it paid attention not only to Eastern European themes and the Black Sea region as a whole, but also featured authors from Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the US, and Australia.
Booklovers had the opportunity to listen to the originals and first Ukrainian translations of works by American essayist Eliot Weinberger; Swiss playwright Lukas Baerfuss; Armenian scholar, politician, and poet Varujan Vosganian; Turkish writer Sema Kaygusuz and German poet Joachim Sartorius.
For almost all foreign participants, it was their first visit to Ukraine, and president of the international literary club PEN International John Ralston Saul (Canada) stressed its importance at the opening of the festival: “The PEN International is an organization of literature and freedom of speech. These notions are in fact identical, for we, the authors, stand above politics and propaganda and create a real debate between real people. Our very presence here is our way to say that we want to be here, to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and support it.” “This event lifts the curtain of fear draped around Ukraine by the war and makes it clear that the country is alive, active, and open for cooperation,” Anna Mysiuk added; she is a literary critic and researcher at Odesa Literary Museum, which was one of the festival locations.
In addition to literary readings, the festival offered discussions on literature and culture as well as politics, covering Europe and other parts of the world. Two Ukrainian-Russian discussions were of note, and also most popular with visitors. Ukrainian author Yurii Andrukhovych’s talk with his Russian colleague Viktor Yerofeyev, entitled “Society and Memories,” touched on memories, personal perception of events, and the contribution literature can make when it comes to critical assessment of history. No less topical and provocative conversation, called “Intellectual as the Enemy of the People,” was held by Kharkiv poet and public activist Serhii Zhadan and popular Russian writer Mikhail Shishkin, who lives in Switzerland and has actively criticized Russia’s policies since 2012. “The crux of the problem is our common horrible past as we all are trying to crawl out of it. Some have succeeded, like the Baltic countries. Ukraine tried to get out, but the bear’s paw covered it again at once. Russia has emigrated to the Middle Ages. With such a past, it is very difficult to go into the future,” Shishkin remarked.
One of the features of the festival program was its Children’s and Youth Literature section, which aimed to highlight the importance of inculcating in the young people the culture of reading. Well-known children’s writers Yves Grevet (France), Nils Mohl (Germany), and Melvin Burgess (the UK), the latter famed as the author of the successful novel Billy Elliot which has been adapted for the screen, presented and read their works in Odesa schools and gymnasiums.
The international festival just held in Odesa has expanded the literary world’s borders for Ukraine, giving us an opportunity to become better acquainted with famous authors and discover new writers.
