Nina Smuzhanytsia-Marchenko is a laureate of the Olena Teliha International Literary Prize for “zealous and selfless work in the name of Ukraine, in compiling her son Valery Marchenko’s books Letters to Mother from Prison and Life and Creativity, being an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of the Ukrainian people, enriching its historical memory, and asserting lofty humane ideals.” Such is the formula used by the jury whose membership is kept secret, pursuant to the prize-conferring bylaws. Be it as it may, any doubts as to the jury’s competence are totally misplaced, as evidenced by the names of the previous laureates, the first being Lina Kostenko, “displaying true chivalry in daily life, selflessly serving Ukraine, producing highly artistic creations in the literary domain...” The next one was Mykhailyna Kotsiubynska, a noted literary critic, compiler of the ten- volume Vasyl Stus collection, the writer’s brother-in-arms, and active participant in the 1960s intellectual movement.
The prize was instituted in 2000 by the Olena Teliha All-Ukrainian Women’s Society, in memory of the celebrated Ukrainian poetess and political figure, to be conferred on outstanding literary and other creative figures. The award is issued annually, on Teliha’s memorial day; it is a diploma and 1,000 “conditional units” [a.k.a. dollars]. Foreigners are also eligible.
Nina Marchenko is not only a noted public figure (honorary member of the Teliha All-Ukraine Women’s Society since 1994), but also a compiler of scholarly books, author of Ukrainian radio segments on the “Revived Names” program, and co- author of TV films. What decided the jury, however, was the publication of the books Letters to Mother from Prison and Life and Creativity. Reading these truthful stories makes one weep. Nina Marchenko’s son Valery worked for the newspaper Literaturna Ukrayina and was arrested and received a term of imprisonment for articles that were never published, also because he “resided in the City of Kyiv under the influence of nationalist convictions.”
The awards ceremony took place at the Kyiv Teacher’s House that was once the Ukrainian Central Rada. The laureate was greeted by previous winners, the founding committee, and numerous guests who recited Teliha’s poems, read excerpts from Valery Marchenko’s books, and sang songs. The audience was packed, an unusual sight and evidence of keen public interest in the prize and the laureate. The soiree ended with the film Who Are You, Mr. Jackie? about Ukrainian independence, produced by an Amsterdam group and assisted by Nina Marchenko.
