Contemporary ukrainian literature and the myth of Donbass. Fictional and critical representations in the francophone area

Research Objective. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that contemporary Ukrainian literature is now an integral part of the European intellectual space as a legitimate object of aesthetic and political reflection. In 2020-2024, translations of this literature into French have experienced a noticeable increase, becoming an important tool of cultural visibility and humanistic dialogue. Methodology. The study is based on a qualitative analysis of literary translations published in France, focusing on key contemporary authors (Zhadan, Zabuzhko, Kurkov, etc.) and translators (Dmytryshyn, Mizerak, Dzyub, etc.). The approach combines philological, historical and hermeneutical aspects. Results. The translated works cover a wide range of genres – prose, poetry, drama, diaries – and convey diverse experiences of war, resistance, memory and identity. Each translation acts as a mediator between the Ukrainian trauma and the French-speaking reading audience, facilitating a thorough critical perception. Scientific contribution. The analysis reveals the dual function of translations: on the one hand, they document an unprecedented historical and existential reality; on the other, they actively contribute to the reconfiguration of the European literary canon. French publishing houses play a key role in this symbolic (re)recognition of Ukrainian literature. Conclusions. Literary translation in times of war becomes an act of ethical solidarity. It makes the invisible visible and helps shape a new cultural map of Eastern Europe. The Lire l’Ukraine project vividly illustrates how intellectual exchange between France and Ukraine redefines the narrative and memorial boundaries of the continent