Serhiy Zhadan – contemporary Ukrainian writer, poet, and musician, author of “Voroshilovgrad” and “The Orphanage”. His works blend lyricism, social critique, and surreal imagery, making him one of the most important voices of post-Soviet Ukrainian literature. Zhadan is also a translator, public activist, and frontman of the band “Zhadan and the Dogs.”
📖 Born in Starobilsk, he has long lived in Kharkiv. 💡 Considered a leading figure of Ukrainian postmodernism. 📚 “Voroshilovgrad” won BBC Book of the Year and was adapted into the film “The Wild Fields”. ⚡ “The Orphanage” (2017) was among the first novels about the Donbas war. 🎤 Performs poetry readings and concerts worldwide. 🌍 His works are translated into English, German, Polish, and more. 🏅 Recipient of numerous European literary awards. 🎭 His texts are often staged as poetic-musical performances. 🕊️ Since 2022, he has been active as a volunteer, supporting the army and civilians. 😂 Curious: calls himself “a poet of the industrial steppe.” 😅 Funny fact: as a student, he played in a punk band and jokingly styled himself a “literary hooligan.”