| Abstrakt: |
Book inscriptions can be understood as one of historical and culturally important categories of ego-documents. This article studies inscriptions and dedications in the collection of books which belonged to the prominent Ukrainian writer Ivan Mykytenko (1897–1937), who perished during Stalin’s repressions. The books were given to Mykytenko at various times by his Ukrainian and foreign colleagues – writers, artists, translators, theatre agents and cultural workers. Book inscriptions testify to creative contacts among the writers, bring to light the literary and artistic life of the country, speak about true friendships and false appreciation in the time of trial. During the totalitarian regime, the home library of Ivan Mykytenko was saved by the writer’s family; and now it is one of the unique collections of the 1920s–1930s in Ukraine. This topic raises the question of familial memory and the tragedy of the Ukrainian cultural elite. As the evidence of continuous and essential international literary contacts within the national cultural tradition, book inscriptions become a manifestation of creative and friendly ties between writers from different countries despite the threats of totalitarianism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
