- December 16, 2024
- 12:54 am
- Israel
On Monday, December 30, 2024, a landmark cultural event will take place in Haifa – a literary evening organized by Pavel Galich And Reading club SULVI.
Participants will gather to discuss the cult novel of Ukrainian literature – “Tigercatchers” Ivan Bagryany.
The meeting will take place in a bookstore Goldmund (Ekron St 6, Haifa), which has long become a platform for discussing current books and cultural events.
Evening program
The organizers have prepared a rich three-hour program:
- Introduction about the novel and its meaning in Ukrainian literature.
- Group discussion of the key themes of the novel: the struggle for freedom, human dignity and love.
- Historical context: how the author’s autobiography is reflected in the work.
- Literary quiz and discussion of the influence of the book on Ukrainian culture and its perception abroad.
Electronic versions of the book are available for reading:
- Abuk: link to book
- UkrLib: link to free version.
Why “Tigercatchers”?
Novel “Tigercatchers” is not just an adventure book, but a deep work based on real events from the author’s life.
“Tigercatchers” is an adventure novel with autobiographical elements by Ivan Bagryany, written and published in 1944 under the title “Tigercatchers” in the Lviv magazine “Evening Hour”. A draft of the original text “Tiger Catchers/Tiger Catchers” remained in sub-Soviet Ukraine, and after the author moved to Germany in 1944–1946, Bagryany had to completely restore the text from memory; this restored version was published in 1946 under the title “Tigercatchers” by the Prometheus publishing house in Neu-Ulm.
The work is based on autobiographical events: Bagryany’s exile to the Far East, to the Gulag. Having escaped from an NKVD special train that was transporting Gulag death row prisoners to Siberia, the author of “Tigercatchers” lived the same life with the taiga for almost two years, deeply studying and loving this distant and harsh region and its inhabitants – not only people, but also animals. His hero Grigory Mnogohrishny absorbed many of the character traits of Bagryany himself.
While in German-occupied Western Ukraine and hiding for some time from the Gestapo in Morshyn, Ivan Bagryany wrote the work in 14 days
Key themes of the novel:
- Fight for freedom. The main character, Grigory Mnogrishny, escapes from the “death train” and opposes his will to the system of oppression.
- Love for Ukraine. Even in the taiga, among harsh conditions, the Ukrainian identity of the hero remains the basis of his inner world.
- Human dignity. The novel shows how even in the most difficult circumstances a person can remain a free spirit.
Quote from the novel:
“The country I wrote about, I loved, like my friend, Fatherland, even though I had lost her as a slave…” – Ivan Bagryany.
Autobiographical elements make the novel even more vivid: Bagryany himself survived the horrors of the Gulag and survived in the taiga after escaping.
About the SULVI Reading Club and Pavel Galich
Reading club SULVI:
This club unites the Ukrainian-speaking community of Israel around modern and classical works of Ukrainian literature. Participants read, discuss and share their thoughts about books while immersing themselves in cultural heritage.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SULVI.reading.club/
Quote from NAnews:
“Literature is a bridge between generations and cultures. By discussing works such as “Tigercatchers,” we not only discover Ukraine for ourselves, but also create a cultural space in Israel.”
Why is it worth attending this event?
The event is important not only for literature lovers, but also for those who want to:
- Immerse yourself in Ukrainian culture through literature.
- Find new like-minded people in Israel.
- Learn more about the struggle for freedom in the context of Ukrainian history.
- Spend time in a cozy atmosphere and enrich your inner world.
Website “NAnews – Israel News” about cultural initiatives
Our website “NAnews – Israel News“ pays special attention to events that strengthen ties between the Ukrainian and Jewish communities. Literary evenings like this help preserve identity, develop dialogue and build friendship between our peoples.
Ukrainian literature discussed in Israel becomes part of a common cultural heritage that unites the traditions of the two countries.
How to participate?
Venue: Goldmund, Ekron St 6, Haifa.
Time: December 30, 2024, 19:00.
Duration: 3 hours.
Event from the organizers: https://www.facebook.com/events/471663978896293/
Registration is not required, but bring the book with you or read it in advance (see links above).
Conclusion
The literary evening “Tigercatchers” is a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at the works of Ukrainian classics, feel their relevance and meet like-minded people. Join this cultural initiative to immerse yourself in the world of Ukrainian literature together with the SULVI Reading Club and Pavel Galich.
Let 2024 end on an inspiring note, leaving room for new discoveries in the year ahead!
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