Serhiy Zhadan explores Ukrainian history in ‘Anarchy in the UKR’

Ukrainian author Serhiy Zhadan explores the historical and contemporary landscape of eastern Ukraine in his work, ‘Anarchy in the UKR’. The book traces the legacy of anarchist Nestor Makhno, who attempted to establish a self-governing society of peasants and workers in southeastern Ukraine during the early 20th century.

Zhadan’s writing serves as a journey through forgotten cities, myths, and history, offering a portrait of post-Soviet Ukraine caught between its past and present. The work combines travelogue, essays, and prose to address themes of freedom, rebellion, and identity.