Author's website Alexander Korotko

As we discussed during my last visit, please find attached some thoughts about Mr. Korotko’s and Vasyl Stus. In general, it is very difficult to keep the spirit of e.g. a poem when it has been translated into another language, but in this case, I believe the “atmosphere” of the poem could be preserved.

Just have a look. Ukraine has a very interesting, often tragic, history. Fighting for freedom for centuries (like Germany).

Thank you very much for the opportunity to get to know about the work of your Ukrainian compatriot writer Vasyl Stus.

The significance and importance of his legacy is outstanding in the present time, when Russia again tries to eradicate the Ukrainian nationality, culture, history and consequently to extinguish the population. This can be seen in a century-long policy to suppress all and everyone who is not following the “Russian way of life”. There is a direct line from Vasyl Stus to the ongoing war, and he realised what the Russian political class aimed for, at his time and now, cynically without any changes.

The outstanding Vasyl Stus tells us something with his powerful voice, namely that resistance against suppression must prevail striving for private happiness.

Vasyl Stus translated the oeuvre of many Polish and German poets (Goethe!) and kept a friendly attitude to these countries. In the light of the actual war in Ukraine, these two countries are the most important supporters of Ukraine.

The motto “Words Stronger Than Bars”, which is considered to describe Vasyl Stus’ life, which ended in a gulag when he was just 47 years old. Dictators may put the human body behind bars, but they cannot bar the spirit of freedom.

It is the special merit of Mr. Korotko to dedicate a considerable number of poems to this giant in Ukrainian literary, comparable only with Taras Shevchenko. It is noteworthy that a number of exhibitions, sessions, presentations etc in Poland and Germany dedicated to the legacy of Vasyl Stus took and take place. The actual situation concerning the brutal war in Ukraine shows how necessary are persons like Vasyl Stus rising their voice for freedom taking into account the inevitable consequences.

The fact that Mr. Korotko’s poems were translated e.g. into English, German, Polish etc. shows the increasing interest in Ukrainian literature of readers outside of Ukraine. The international societies are getting aware of this country with its often-tragic history, but an always active wish for freedom. Slava Ukraina!

Dr. Gilsdorf, Germany