In the book “Flicker”, the author interprets the unstable world and changing events with the help of poetic words.
Yesterday, April 18, a presentation of Vasyl Kuybida’s book “Flickering”, published by the publishing house Summit-Knyg, took place in the capital bookstore “Syaivo knygi”.
Vasyl Kuybida known as a politician, public figure, scientist. People’s Deputy of Ukraine of the 5th and 6th convocations, active participant of the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity, Chairman of the People’s Movement of Ukraine (December 15, 2012 – May 28, 2017). At the same time, he is a talented poet who has been published since 1991. “Twinkle” is already the 13th poetry collection.
The presentation was conducted by a doctor of historical sciences, a poet Pavlo Gai-Nizhnyk.
“This collection brings together poems that carry spirituality. The author is trying to find an answer to what eternity, life, and love are. It embodies philosophical thoughts in a poetic word,” he noted.
An esteemed group of friends and colleagues, linguists, writers, politicians, and scientists gathered to congratulate Vasyl Kuybida on the new collection and to share their thoughts about his work.
“It rarely happens when a person who has reached the top in one or another field of activity realizes himself in his work as a powerful poet,” emphasized the head of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine Mykhailo Sydorzhevsky, who has known Vasyl Kuybida for 20 years. — Vasyl Kuybida’s poetry is both civic and philosophical poetry. The author was at the top of the power, but is trying to find answers to the cursed questions of reality. What is a person, being. This is journalism of the highest standard, an attempt to understand the reality and philosophy of life.”
Director of the Institute of the Ukrainian Language, doctor of philological sciences Pavlo Hrytsenko read the collection while still in manuscript and wrote the introduction to the book.
“The texture of the poems is very special. There is no plot, event facts, but all the power and eventfulness are in the words and combinations, I call it the symphonization of verbal compounds, he shared. — While reading, you constantly go back, because deep and unusual poetry requires understanding every time. The familiar word is filled with new meanings and connections. Pushes to thoughts, suddenly discovers something new – this is the highest sign of poetic style and collection. Flicker is a challenge to constancy and clarity. The author managed not to get lost in the shimmer, not to destroy the integrity and draw his lines.”
As emphasized by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Academician, First Deputy Chairman of the All-Ukrainian Society “Prosvita” named after Taras Shevchenko George Filipchuk, honoring modern poets should be our virtue. He has known Vasyl Kuibida since the late 1980s, and noted his depth and devotion to the Ukrainian idea.
Those present at the presentation repeatedly mentioned the author’s mother, who raised him as a true Ukrainian — Kateryna Mykhailivna Kuibida (Mandryk). She is also a poet, a social and political activist, a participant in liberation struggles, and a long-term political prisoner. Actually, Vasyl Kuybida himself was born in the city of Inta (Komi), where his parents were in a special settlement.
Well-known Ukrainian poets Mykola Hrytsenko, Borys Ponomarenko, Yuriy Pizhuk spoke about Vasyl Kuybida’s poetry at the evening. Prominent politicians and scientists Oleksandr Puhkalo and Valery Bebyk shared their thoughts on the connection between poetry, politics and management.
“Since childhood, I tried to change in harmony with the world, in rhythm, but the world is faster. The most expensive victory is the victory over yourself, when you manage to overcome yesterday’s self and be ready for tomorrow, – noted Vasyl Kuybida. – What the world is and understanding one’s place in this world appears closer to the end of the road, when there is an opportunity to look from the side.
This book does not provide answers, it is an invitation to walk the roads I have walked and reflect. These thoughts are not just a touch of eternity, they are a contribution to eternity, an attempt to influence it.”
The edition “Flicker” was illustrated by the laureate of the Shevchenko Prize Lubomyr Medvid. The collection includes poetry from different years, including those written after February 24, 2022, as well as translations by Rasul Gamzatov and re-singing by Robert Burns.
Maria Kataeva
