Bohdan Tokarskyi, Postdoctoral Fellow, Universität Potsdam

In this talk, Dr. Bohdan Tokarskyi will focus on the poetics of self-making in the works of Vasyl Stus (1938-1985), a Soviet dissident and Gulag prisoner who is widely considered to be Ukraine’s greatest post-war poet. On the one hand, Dr. Tokarskyi’s talk will elucidate Stus’ dialogue with the tradition of literary modernism. On the other hand, it will show some of the salient ways in which Stus’ poetry, stemming from the poet’s own historical context of totalitarianism, transformed the modernist tradition. Foregrounding the coalescence of modernism and the Gulag experience in Stus’ writing, Dr. Tokarskyi will shed light on why the poet's work remains so pertinent and influential today, particularly in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Slavic Department at 617-495-4065 or slavic@fas.harvard.edu in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the university will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.

Image: "Sephia Photography of Desk Lamp Lightened the Gray Typewriter on Wooden Table," Min An, CC0 1.0.