Irina Zhilenko’s Anthropocentric Project - Homo Feriens

Abstract

The article analyzes the memories of an Ukrainian poetess, Irina Zhilenko, devoted to the environment of 1960s Ukrainian authors. The story written down by the Kiev poetess in letters and diaries touches mainly through the person of the very narrator – hero. Irrespective of the external circumstances such as political constraints, day-to-day poverty, falsehood of the soviet reality and the imperative of communist ideology, she always strives to maintain optimism and joy of life. Hence, she implements a genuine life project vita activia, the critical part of which is art and artistic freedom. For the poetess and her generation, the artistic activity is the source of strength, joy and dignity. The memoir is dominated by anthropocentric and personal approach to the world and another human being.