Sumy Youth Literary Studio “Zazhynok”: Always Welcoming Young Talents

A New Beginning

It was under circumstances like these that the current “Zazhynok” emerged. I write “current” because in fact the history of this organization spans almost 50 years. Simply put, in the late 1980s, the history of “Zazhynok” was interrupted. Here is how the current head of the literary studio, Tamara Herasymenko, recalled it in one of her interviews:

“Zazhynok” raised, educated, and nurtured many well-known Sumy writers, and needless to say, it united us forever as friends. The fact that the Sumy Writers’ Organization is close-knit and united is largely due to the then “Zazhynok”. But major political and economic restructuring processes were underway in the Soviet Union, the state stopped supporting the literary studio, something happened (I no longer remember exactly what) with the premises that had been provided to us, and the work of “Zazhynok” froze for three decades…

At the end of 2017, the literary studio resumed its work. As Tamara Mykolaivna later explained, the idea belonged to her:

Probably because I loved the old “Zazhynok”, and I wanted to create something similar, especially when I met young gifted people whose works were equally marked by both talent and literary inexperience at the same time.

Her idea was warmly supported by the then head of the Sumy organization of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine, Oleksandr Vertil, and ultimately by all writers, especially the active former “Zazhynok” member Andrii Poliakov and, unfortunately, the late literary scholar Anatolii Hryzun. And so “Zazhynok” was revived under the auspices of the Sumy Regional Organization of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine. Young creative forces were found, the studio gradually grew, and writers from various districts of the Sumy region joined it.

Personal Experience

I joined the studio a little later than the first “Zazhynok” members (they even managed to hold the first marathon). This was not the first organization of this kind that I had joined. I even had my own formula for successful literary studios: regular meetings + learning. A studio without meetings (or gatherings, whatever you prefer) is often doomed to exist only in words. And simply gathering to read your works and then go home, in my opinion, makes little sense.

In “Zazhynok”, this formula worked more than well. The studio met regularly once every two weeks (this schedule remained in effect until the quarantine). Of course, we did not just read our works and listen to others. In response, everyone received criticism and advice. And there is almost always something to criticize. For example, in poets: stress falls in the wrong place, an extra syllable (or one is missing), lines do not rhyme. A more general problem is incorrect word usage: Russisms, calques, dialectisms… There are also issues with imagery: it should not only be not outdated, but also original.

I think every second aspiring writer has heard advice like “read the classics, look for interesting images and expressions in them, they are recognized!” But in “Zazhynok” the approach is completely different: every writer must be themselves. After all, for example, Tychyna did not copy the image of sunlit clarinets from Shevchenko (although he was undoubtedly a genius to him). Similarly, Stus does not resemble Franko, and Franko does not resemble Kulish. The same applies here: everyone must be themselves, not resemble the classics or anyone else.

A year before the aforementioned revival, the studio “Litera” appeared in Sumy. But since “Zazhynok” was created as a youth literary studio, it so happened that the young “Literians” became “Zazhynok” members. “Litera” itself became a center for the older generation. By the way, since then writers have grown significantly (in a literary sense) in both studios. Although I would not say that we have completely separated: sometimes “Zazhynok” members visit their senior colleagues and vice versa.

Under the Wing of the Writers’ Union

Somewhere above it was already mentioned that “Zazhynok” operates under the auspices of the Sumy Regional Organization of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine. First of all, this means that its members have certain advantages within the Union; and for this, of course, one must “keep the bar high.” For example, in 2018 it was the members of “Zazhynok” who appeared on the pages of the almanac “Slobozhanshchyna”. The same applies, for instance, to the all-Ukrainian meetings of young writers, which the National Union of Writers of Ukraine organized annually before the quarantine. Each region is represented by two writers (poetry and prose); in the Sumy region, such representatives are chosen primarily from among the “Zazhynok” members. Of course, for all this, simple readings among “one’s own” are not enough. That is why training sessions take place in the studio.

Here is how Oleksandr Vertil, then head of the Sumy Regional Organization of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine, spoke about “Zazhynok” almost at the beginning of its revival:

…this studio is the only one in the region that operates under the auspices of the Sumy Regional Organization of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine — yes, the only PROFESSIONAL writers’ union in Ukraine. That is, together we are, in a good way, “doomed” to work for a high-quality result. Nowadays, like mushrooms after even a light rain, all kinds of near- and pseudo-literary formations and centers appear, where, unfortunately, there is a lack of professional mentors and authors alike. Fortunately for all of us, this does not apply to “Zazhynok”. I am convinced that in a year or two, some of the studio members will publish their own books, and our organization will consider their authors as candidates for joining the ranks of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine. The selection is demanding, the admission “sieve” is dense, but even today I see that several “Zazhynok” members fully meet these requirements.

At the same time, “Zazhynok” is more open precisely to beginners rather than to already well-established writers. By the way, the head of the studio has an interesting attitude and special approach to creative rises, falls, and crises. I remember being surprised by one of her phrases: “Once I did not write for fifteen years.” Those who become prisoners of a creative crisis are advised here not to squeeze works out of themselves, but to take a break. At the same time, it is advisable to read something. For those who are currently writing something new, on the contrary, reading is not recommended: in such a case, the writer begins to imitate other people’s traits.

What We Have Today

Over more than three years, “Zazhynok” has achieved considerable heights. As already mentioned, studio members appeared on the pages of “Slobozhanshchyna”. Later, “Zazhynok” members published their own collection titled “Zaspiv”. At the same time, its pages were filled not according to the principle of “works by the best authors,” but “the best works of each author.” Three studio members represented the region at the same meetings of young writers. And there were also events, performances, dozens of meetings, new works, images, faces… Of course, not all members can currently attend meetings: for instance, “Zazhynok” member Anna Verkhovtseva moved to Chernihiv, and Aliona Mazihva moved to Germany altogether. However, despite this, the girls are still considered part of the collective.

The quarantine made significant adjustments. To some extent, it was necessary to switch to an online mode, since gathering physically is currently simply dangerous. In addition, the publication of the second collection was postponed (we hope it will still see the light of day soon). Nevertheless, “Zazhynok” members continue to actively write works, share them, and likewise receive criticism and advice.

As always, the studio is happy to welcome new authors at its meetings. If you are looking for a circle of like-minded people and strive for new literary heights, write to the head of “Zazhynok” Tamara Herasymenko or to the literary studio’s page on Facebook.