“The writer is not the one who writes, but the one who is read. If Ukrainians will not start reading, we will never have publishing market, books will continue come in circulation of 500 copies. And this means that these writers will never become professional writers, and modern Ukrainian literature will never become true literary phenomenon,” - said A. Kurkov, speaking to the youth which gathered at the creative place “Chasopys” 13 December.
In addition, during the meeting the writer presented his new novel – “Lviv Tour of Jimi Hendrix”.
“This is an unusual presentation. I will be showing photos of Lviv, talking how I gathered materials and searched for heroes. So I have not yet presented the novel, and I wrote a novel this way for the first time” - confessed writer.
Speaking with guests of Art Club “Faces”, Andriy Kurkov formed several opinions about the potential of Ukrainian literature, success of prose, politics in literature.
On the potential of Ukrainian literature and how it is interesting to the foreign reader: “Fortunately, more and more Ukrainian authors are translated into foreign languages. If five years ago Ukrainian literature was treated quite skeptically, now the interest towards us is growing. Europe is tired of their own literature. Germans are tired of their serious literature. British are tired of their own literature about troubled teens. Therefore Ukraine is very appropriate with a completely different literature, with very different stories taking place against the background of strange and slightly exotic to them life. The potential of Ukrainian literature great, but it means that we have done very little”.
About signs of the future success of the novel: “First, we must tell a story that is easy to understand. No need to encrypt a lot. Second, it is important that the author loved all his characters, even negative ones. After all, the reader subconsciously rejects the hero, who is not loved by the author. This way the author imposes his dislike. This should be avoided. Reader is a clever person, because he is the reader. He wants to decide for himself who he likes and who he does not. He wants to make his own conclusions. Therefore, in my opinion, there are two main features of a successful novel: you have to tell a story that will stay in memory and to create characters with whom you want then to sit down and have coffee”.
On the difference of Kyiv and Lviv: “For a long time I have noticed for myself that in cities where there is actively developing small family business, the percentage of active caring people is much higher. And in cities where there are concentrated large plants and factories, very few people who will go and do something themselves Yes, Lviv is the capital of small business. This is the city where there are many individualists, people who are able do something independently. And this is why it is the city where people feel as patriots of this city and where there is the feeling of city community. Kyiv - is the capital, where people come to build something for themselves, but not on their territory, without feeling the city. They come to work and not become Kyiv residents. There is no sense of united city and united community. And here it is much more difficult to do something together, important to bring people together for a good cause”.
On politics in his writings: “In my two latest novels, there is no politics. In my opinion, the politicization of the Ukrainian society is already some sort of a disease. I am afraid that people will start to expect works only on political subjects. They will forget that there are stories of love, that there are detectives, thrillers, that there are historical novels. I consider it necessary for our people from time to time to step back from political events”.
The importance of the Internet for a writer in gathering information and the importance of feeling the atmosphere of the city, about which he writes: “On the Internet you can find anything, but it will be superficial information. It quickly comes and quickly leaves. Google does not convey the mood, does not give feeling of the atmosphere. For me it is always important to feel what I write about. In the process of writing my latest novel I really enjoyed getting acquainted with the city, working with real heroes, invite these people into the novel. I think that I will try something like this again”.
On the “dark” optimism: “I invented for myself theory of “dark” optimism” – this is when you know that everything will eventually be fine, but you do not know whether or not you will survive up to this point. I survived. The main principle of my optimism is that I love life and I hope that it will repay me the same. I wish for everyone to love life and help it to love you!”
During the event, music played was performed by the young pianist Alevtyna Dobina.
REFERENCE: Art Club “Faces”, established by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine” in partnership with creative place “Chasopys” is the platform for communication and exchange of experience of Ukrainian and foreign writers, musicians, artists, designers, filmmakers, photographers and other cultural representatives.
The next event is planned for January 2012. It will be a performance of Ukrainian band “ConCord”, finalist of the show “Ukraine has talent”. For announcements of events of the Art Club “Faces” follow on the Foundation website www.openukraine.org.
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