Author: Serhiy Zhadan
Publisher: Білка
Number of Pages: 200
Cover: Hardcover
Reader Age: Adult
Year of Publication: 2025
Excerpt from the Foreword:
The libretto of the opera “Vyshyvanyi. The King of Ukraine” is being published in German at a time when Ukraine once again must fight for its freedom and independence, since the Moscow imperialist refuses to accept its sovereignty. This libretto is not only a literary work but, above all, a political message about freedom, independence, the rule of law, self‑determination, and the identity of Ukraine, Ukrainian culture, and the courageous Ukrainian men and women. Archduke Wilhelm as a person, and this book itself, are vivid examples of the fact that freedom is not something self‑evident. It must be constantly fought for and defended. Wilhelm von Habsburg comes from a distinctly European dynasty, and today Ukraine is a beacon of freedom for Europe. Glory to Ukraine!
Karl von Habsburg, foreword to the Austrian edition 2024
“He was certainly not a saviour figure. But he was someone who chose his nation himself. The message of his life is that for nations the future matters more than the past.”
Timothy Snyder, Die ZEIT
The opera “Vyshyvanyi. The King of Ukraine”, created in 2021, became a significant cultural event that goes beyond pure art. It is an expression of the collective memory and national identity of Ukraine, shaped by historical challenges and the current war. The combination of talented poetry and experimental music creates a canvas for reflecting on the past while forming a new identity anchored in the European context. The memory of historical figures such as Archduke Wilhelm Franz von Habsburg‑Lorraine serves as a reminder that the struggle for freedom and independence has a long history that continues through the lives of many generations. The words of Serhiy Zhadan on the occasion of receiving the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade testify to the emotional and cultural burden carried by this war, while at the same time emphasizing hope and faith in a better future: “We will need a great deal of strength and faith to speak about our dead. For from their names our dictionaries will arise.” Our artistic initiative contributes to a deeper understanding of the shared values that are decisive in difficult times. Translating the libretto into the native language of Archduke Wilhelm is an act of gratitude for his decision to support Ukraine in its pursuit of freedom and to choose a Ukrainian identity for himself.
Oleksandra Saienko, foreword to the Austrian edition 2024
About the Edition “Vyshyvanyi. The King of Ukraine”
Libretto: Serhiy Zhadan
Translation: Claudia Dathe
Cover design: Oleksii Chekal
Design and layout: Oleksii Chekal
Proofreading: Liudmyla Lobodets
Editors: Oleksandra Saienko, Iryna Bilotserkovska
The book includes photographs from the opera premiere in October 2021 at KhNATOB
Format: 120 × 200 mm
