The sole poetry collection Poems from a Firing Port by Maksym Kryvtsov, a Ukrainian soldier killed in action, has been honored with the Lithuanian “15-minute Book of the Year” literary prize in the “Best Translated Poetry Book” category.
This was reported by the competition organizers on October 25.
“It is painful to read Maksym Kryvtsov’s book ‘Poems from the Execution.’ These are stories about the life of a young Ukrainian poet who died in the war for freedom, accompanied by the songs of the Rolling Stones. Poems that Maksym should not have had to write. However, when they exist and are read, these texts become a testament to the painful reality of Ukrainians and resistance to evil,” the statement read.
Maksym Kryvtsov’s first poetry collection, Poems from a Firing Port, was published by Nash Format in December 2023. Shortly afterward, PEN Ukraine recognized the work as one of the best Ukrainian books published that year. Tragically, Maksym Kryvtsov was killed on the front line on January 7, 2024.
Kryvtsov had a long history of military service. He participated in the Revolution of Dignity and volunteered for the 5th “Right Sector” battalion in 2014. Later, he served as a senior machine gunner in the National Guard’s rapid response brigade before being demobilized. During his time away from the front, he dedicated himself to assisting other veterans. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, he immediately rejoined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Throughout this period, he continued to produce poetry and prose, and left behind an unfinished novel.
Earlier, Ukrainian writer Viktoria Amelina, who died in 2023 after a Russian missile strike hit Kramatorsk, has been posthumously recognized with the esteemed Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The award honors her incomplete book, Looking at Women Looking at War.
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