This is how Eduard Shayetskyi, the laureate of this year's "Kentavrida" competition for writers from the "It`sCraft" Foundation, presents his work.. 

Eduard Shayetskyi is the creative pseudonym of Serhiy Shturkhetskyi. But his story "The Last Choice of Borysthenes" is a true story.That is probably why it brought success to the author. True, the writer does not consider himself the winner, and he wins his reader, because he can learn something new about his history and be proud of it. 

About an attempt at an artistic interpretation of events, which took place three millennia ago, the choice between the past and the future, the truth about history as the key to victory, and also about that, what is common between creativity and The Hague, said the author of the story "Borysthenes' Last Choice" Serhiy Shturkhetskyi. 

Serhiy Shturkhetskyi is an impressive interlocutor.To the question, what artistic experience he has, answers with ease:none.But when the conversation turns to the story "The Last Choice of Borysthenes" and the history of writing the work,then you immediately understand - this is a person of talent, opportunities and creative ability to combine abilities. 

Serhiy Shturkhetskyi is a journalist by profession and by life.He practiced himself for many years, and now conveys the experience of young people.He teaches in Ostrozka and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, has a candidate of sciences degree in public administration. 

"I'm used to getting to the bottom of things, to the truth, therefore I lean towards realistic texts.Life is much more interesting, than fiction.And in life there are such plots, that no fiction can match, Serhiy is convinced.- And I constantly tell my students, so they don't make things up, did not embellish life, did not dramatize too much.Life is like that, as it is.interesting, fascinating, and sometimes hopeless... Epithets are inappropriate here". 

"The Last Choice of Borysthenes" is the first work, which the author allowed to become artistically colored. Although there were attempts back in school years. In 1993 he wrote stories about the famine.It was a story, told by father, who survived the famine 47-48-th years.An ordinary school essay, which the teacher sent to the competition and which was then published in the youth almanac.

"It passed 30 years,and I thought:and why not return to writing?Googled current competitions.I am watching - "Kentavrida",history and myths about Tavria. He became interested in the topic and got to work,- says Serhiy.- At first, I politely wrote several pages a day.And then there were cases, business trip... I finished the last chapters of the story two hours before the deadline! Can you imagine?- laughs.- And all this happened in The Hague, on the central square, under the noise of the night city..."

In The Hague, Serhiy Shturkhetskyi attended the meeting of the European Federation of Journalists.At the same time, by the way,"Eurovision" took place,and Serhiy was lucky enough to join the Ukrainian fans in the Dutch fan-zone.

"Last year, I did not watch the final of the competition.overslept.Woke up to the sound of an air alarm and immediately understood, that we won.That these are the enemies who greet us like this.They cannot allow us to be proud of Ukraine.Can't stand our culture.Success cannot be forgiven.So history should be studied at least for that reason, that our enemies hate her so much. So, there is something there. Something, that annoys them, what are they afraid of, that can destroy them…Obviously, that this is true.And she is the key to our victory.". 

We were not a suburb, and the center of interesting events

"Borysthenes' Last Choice" is a literary attempt at historical reconstruction.At least, this is how the writer himself feels about the work. 

"This is a story about our ancestors - the Tauri. People, which even the most powerful empires could not overcome,Persian and Roman, and thanks to which we have the courage to resist today.For more than a thousand years, the Tauri have preserved their identity.The Scythians were replaced by the Sarmatians, goths.Everything was changing. And they stayed.And I wanted to look at them". 

The author described the period, when the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age occurred, and recreated the events, which then took place in our lands.

"It was three thousand years ago!And art was already being created, cities were built, democracy was born.We were not a suburb, and the center of interesting events,- Serhiy admires.- Even then there were different societies and different forms of government.And I became interested to find out, why some nations are prone to authoritarianism, and others prefer to choose their future.But why the civilizational choice of progress, new technologies and openness to the world, made three millennia ago, we still have to defend ourselves with weapons in our hands".

The writer assures:each one, who will read the story, will find an explanation for himself, why do we live like this today?,and not otherwise. Example, the moment is described in the finale, when Borysthenes is on White Island, aka Snake Island, raises the flag.And this happens on the day of Achilles' death.According to one of the legends,Achilles did not die immediately from a wound in the heel, and ended his life on the island.Since then he, who owns the island, owns the sea.

"Snake Island now once again shows the enemies' intolerance of our history, our culture, Serhiy notes.- Achilles has been gone for three thousand years,Attila is gone, there have been no Cossack leaders for hundreds of years, and they can't help it, can't calm down.They thrash around the island, destroy everything, that carries a memory 'about our heroes and our pride".

If you want to write for children, write, as for adults, only better

The story "Borysthenes' Last Choice" is written for teenagers.And this is another challenge for the author!

"This is an old formula:if you want to write for a children's audience, write, as for adults, only better, Serhiy laughs.- I am a father myself and I know, that children, especially teenagers, do not tolerate lies, do not tolerate manipulation, other people's motives.And it's not about facts.There should be no falsehood in emotions, thoughts, actions.My heroes are real.They sincerely love and sincerely hate.They sincerely lose and sincerely admit defeat.They are honest with themselves and with their friends". 

Insisting on myths and legends, the story "The Last Choice of Borysthenes" is still a modern interpretation of the past.In ancient Greek myths, events are driven by the will of the Gods.And Serhiy Shturkhetsky sets the process in motion, as people do:emotions, thoughts, wishes.And it is the desire to make his country better that wins over the young Tsar Borysthenes. It is, convinced author, will lead us to success.

"I am glad, that in Ukraine, despite the war, creative competitions are held. For, as Churchill said, when he wrapped up the draft budget in the midst of World War II,"if we cancel spending on culture and education, then what are we fighting for then"?- says Serhiy.- From the point of view of public administration, culture during war must happen.Traditional art, handicrafts - all this needs to be revived and developed.It is not for nothing that international organizations now provide support to craft industries and micro-producers.This is what can help Ukraine, help each of us.Because a small business is a combat unit, which pays taxes, donate to the army, feeds itself.Now there are no borders for trade.Creativity of Ukrainians, their creative approach to business and interest in Ukraine - all this will come together, that our growth will begin to occur.The world will finally appreciate the skills and creativity of Ukrainians.We will finally get a positive economic and cultural effect.The only condition is victory.Therefore, everyone in his place should approach her". 

 

 

Writer: Iryna Shatalova