From the history of translation of the works of Taras Shevchenko in Greece: letters of Elli Alexiou and Yannis Ritsos to Tetiana Chernyshova in 1958–1964

Abstract

Friendly contacts between Ukrainian and Greek scientists and cultural workers at the end of 1950s gave opportunities for readers in Ukraine and Greece to get acquainted with the literature of both countries. The main purpose of Kyiv philologists Andrii Biletsky and Tetiana Chernyshova was popularization of classic works of Ukrainian literature, mainly the poetry of Taras Shevchenko, in Greece. Greek writer Elli Alexiou happened to be the chief organizer of poetic translation to Modern Greek. Due to common efforts of many Greek writers, including Yannis Ritsos, the first collection of T. Shevchenko’s poetry in Modern Greek was published in November 1964 in Athens. The collaboration between Ukrainian and Greek philologists and writers is revealed in the letters of Greek writers to Tetiana Chernyshova.