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

Maison Suger is pleased to host this seminar series, which offers an introduction to early Ukrainian literature, heir to Byzantine models but quickly enriched by original creative developments.

The series aims to fill a gap in Western Slavistics and, more broadly, in comparative literature: there is no systematic presentation of the history of early Ukrainian literature from a broad comparative perspective. Initially shaped by Byzantine influence, Old Ukrainian literature gradually absorbed Western currents from the Renaissance and the Baroque. It is this cultural synthesis that represents one of its key original features.

The texts covered span the 11th to the 18th century. The series will highlight:

• the formation of the system of genres;
• the development of the literary canon;
• interaction with various cultures across different historical periods (Early Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque).

Special attention will be given to theoretical questions such as:

• the interplay between secular and religious spheres;
• the dialogue between Christian and pagan elements;
• the relationship between oral and written traditions;
• Eastern (Byzantine) and Western influences.

The range of genres examined is extensive: chronicles, hagiography, sermons, speeches, epic poetry, pilgrimage accounts, rhetorical treatises, polemical literature arising from Catholic-Orthodox confrontations, 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: Ukrainian Church Slavonic, Old Ukrainian, Early Modern literary Ukrainian, Old Polish, Latin, and Russian.

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Practical information

The seminar will take place once a month, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Maison Suger, 16 rue Suger, Paris 6th.

Organisation

Public Seminar Series organised by Nazarii Nazarov.

→ Discover: his profile - his publications – Bulac - his Bulac - YouTube page