Ukrainian war poetry finds voice thanks to Exeter academics

Exeter academics have led a project in which poets, broadcasters, translators and academics joined forces to give voice to Ukrainian war poetry written in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of the country.

The poems, some of which have been written by artists fighting on the frontline, have been translated into English, recorded and made available to the public on YouTube.

They include the work of Liza Zharikova, a poet and musician, who was recently injured while on service in Donbas; and radio host Olena Huseinova, whose work covering the evacuation of Mariupol has found new expression in her poetry.

The project has been led by Exeter University in collaboration with Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, and poet and translator Yuliya Musakovska.

“It is with the utmost humility that we share with the public these unbelievably powerful poems,” said Professor Hugh Roberts, project co-lead in the University’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies.

“The trauma that the people of Ukraine are enduing is beyond comprehension, but these poems make it tangible and visceral in a way that is scarcely metaphorical. These works have been written by poets on active duty or working long shifts on national radio, and through this project, we are helping to ensure that Ukrainian voices are heard by those who need to hear them.”

The project arose following the visit in July, last year, of a delegation from Lviv City of Literature, who were invited to take part in the Translating Cultures with UNESCO Cities of Literature event in Exeter.

During the event, Ms Musakovska and Ms Huseinova read poetry written by colleagues who had been killed in the war, or who are are still fighting on the front line or the home front. The pair also took part in public discussions around the nature of that poetry.