“Word and Body,” or why Zabuzhko was unable to hold a master class in Uzhgorod (PHOTOS)

Saturday evening is the best time to talk about literature. At least the evening of Saturday, March 25, in Uzhgorod. For the first time, the grand dame of modern Ukrainian literature, the one and only Oksana Zabuzhko came to the regional center with an "official visit".

The topic of the meeting, that was held as part of the art festival "March Cats", was "Word, Body, and Eros." However, this was not just a lecture or presentation: a mysterious master class was planned. Right from the start, expressive Oksana Zabuzhko cheerfully dragged listeners into the depths of the literary process from pre-modern and modern literature, the subject of woman in literature as the most underresearched object, and the categories of freedom, etc.

During the meeting, Oksana Zabuzhko "played a futurist" and explaining that a writer "feels historic processes like a dog feels earthquake," advised us all to "save the rivers!", and reflected on the future in the context of the environment. Because, "unless humankind come to their senses, our grandchildren will be fighting for fresh water." 

…The monologue, which later transformed into Q&A session, was flowing smoothly, and the time passed quickly.However, the promised master class, sadly, did not take place: there was not enough people in the audience, who have read the writer’s books required for that, and Zabuzhko changed the format of the meeting.

And it was a success, the audience were listening for more than two and a half hours.  The most delicious and nutritious artistic and intellectual dinner for hungry minds – that’s what the meeting with Oksana Zabuzhko in Uzhgorod was. "For dessert," the writer recited two not yet published very sensual poems and the audience rewarded her with applause and when asked for autographs…