Literature of Ukraine-Rus’ (11th–18th centuries)

Maison Suger is pleased to host the first session of the series "Literature of Ukraine-Rus" (11th–18th centuries), organised by Nazarii Nazarov. This seminar explores the history of Ukrainian literature, including chronicles, translated works, sermons, theatre, and poetry.

This ten-part seminar series aims to fill a gap in Western Slavistics and, more broadly, in comparative literature, as there is currently no systematic presentation of the history of early Ukrainian literature from a broad comparative perspective. Initially shaped by the decisive influence of Byzantine literature, Old Ukrainian literature gradually absorbed Western currents from the Renaissance and the Baroque. It is within this cultural synthesis that one of its key original features lies.

The texts studied span the 11th to the 18th century. This overview will highlight the development of the system of genres, the formation of the literary canon, and the interaction with various cultures across different historical periods, from the Early Middle Ages through the Renaissance to the Baroque.

Particular attention will be given to a set of theoretical questions, including the interplay between the secular and the religious, the dialogue between Christian and pagan elements, the relationship between oral and written traditions, and the influences of both Eastern (Byzantine) and Western cultures, illustrated by concrete examples from the texts.

The range of genres examined is extensive and includes chronicles, hagiography, sermons, speeches, epic poetry, pilgrimage accounts, rhetorical treatises, polemical literature arising from religious confrontations between Catholics and Orthodox, lyric poetry, satire, diaries, memoirs, school and popular theatre dramas, mystery plays, philosophical dialogues, princely charters, and legal books.

The linguistic spectrum is equally broad, encompassing Ukrainian Church Slavonic, Old Ukrainian, Early Modern literary Ukrainian, Old Polish, Latin, and Russian.