ZHADAN’S EVOLUTION AS A POET: REASONS AND ESSENCE

Professional Ukrainian critics have traditionally focused more on Zhadan’s prose, with his poetry receiving thorough analysis mainly from Ivan Dziuba, a critic from an older generation. Given Zhadan’s prolific output — 16 collections with over 700 texts — a systematic approach to his work is essential. Currently, Zhadan’s work is either identified with the stages of the formation of Ukrainian society (Babenko), or his poetry is considered as the history of Ukrainian society after 1991 and the process of growing up (Boichenko). The paper’s author identifies two distinct periods in Zhadan’s poetic career: pre-2014, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and post-2014. The war and personal experiences marked significant shifts in his creative expression. In the first period, Zhadan’s work is known for intertwining literature and politics, showcasing an anarchistic worldview, focusing on social issues, and challenging traditional values. Following 2014, his work took a philosophical turn, delving into existential themes, language reform, nature, and interpersonal relationships. Post-2014 interviews reveal Zhadan’s shift from anarchism to embracing the issue of a national state. Aesthetic changes are slower than ideological ones. The poet mythologizes the Russian-Ukrainian war as much as possible; the war appears as an existential state in his work. He looks to Czeslaw Milosz’s poetry as a template for articulating the Russian-Ukrainian war experience. The paper also underscores the significant role of biblical motifs, evangelical imagery and narratives in Zhadan’s body of work across both periods. Whereas prior to 2014, Zhadan’s use of New Testament imagery often bordered on politicized parody, the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war prompted a departure from such desacralization. He moved from postmodernist aesthetics to a ‘New Sincerity’ approach, reflecting a profound transformation in his poetic vision.