Children of the Post-communist Period in Contemporary Ukrainian Literature for Young Readers

Abstract

The socio-political transition of the 1990s had a long-lasting impact on children who experienced the collapse of communism and the fall of the Iron Curtain. Contemporary Ukrainian children’s and YA literature offers vivid representations of post-communist childhood experiences in Ukraine. Writers like Zirka Menzatiuk and Olena Zakharchenko show emotions and experiences of children and their perception of ideological, cultural and social changes taking place in their society. The child and adolescent protagonists of these narratives grow up being shaped by the events taking place in their country. The generation of children raised in democratic Ukraine is shown as substantially different from older members of Ukrainian society. They are the first “free generation” that professes democratic values, presents active social positions, and defends human rights. Simultaneously, it also cares about their nation’s history, culture, and traditions. The article outlines contemporary Ukrainian children’s literature devoted to the socio-political transformations of the last 30 years, arguing that some ideological taboos are disappearing and the normative ideas about the behaviour of a growing-up child are changing.