A new anthology revives 'Literary Fair'
A fresh edition of the anthology "Literary Fair" has been released in Kharkiv, carrying on the legacy of the periodical that ran from 1928 to 1930. The collection brings together prose and poetry by 33 writers, with 25 from Ukraine and 8 from abroad. It was assembled in time for a literary festival scheduled to take place in Kharkiv on August 28–30. The Folio publishing house handled the printing, while Anna Madunova designed the book.
Contributors and artwork
Among the writers featured in the anthology are well-known figures such as:
- Maria Matios
- Vakhtang Kipiani
- Andriy Kokotiukha
- Serhiy Zhadan
- Mariana Savka
- Oleksandr Irvanets
- Nika Kozhushko
Altogether, the modern almanac showcases creative work by 48 artists. The illustrations came from students at the Kharkiv studio Aza Nizi Maza and form a 25-meter-long graphic panel featuring ironic portraits of the writers.
The release was announced through Serhiy Zhadan's charitable foundation. Interestingly, the original "Literary Fair" concept was suggested by Mike Johansen and later developed by Mykola Khvylovyi. The last issue of the historical publication appeared in 1930, meaning this new anthology arrives 96 years after its predecessor's final release.
"I deliberately do not write: I am not sure that after some time the 'LF' — being a new and completely original type of almanac — will not come back to life and continue its existence under the editorship of the youngest generation of writers."
Mykola Khvylovyi
In this way, the new anthology not only revives a strand of Ukrainian literary tradition but also opens fresh possibilities for today's authors and visual artists. It has the potential to become an important platform for amplifying Ukrainian voices and strengthening the literary community, especially meaningful amid current challenges. Photos of the almanac are available on the "Literary Fair" Facebook page.