French-language reception of Vasyl Stefanyk’s creativive work

Abstract

The article deals with analysis of the history of V. Stefanyk’s appearance in the artistic dimension of the French literature, starting from the first references in French-language periodicals by virtue of translations and ending with solid scientific investigations. The aim of the research is to systematize critical reviews, trace the evolution of critical interpretation and prove the agreement of the creative method of the Ukrainian short story writer with the development of the Western European literary process. The French public’s acquaintance with Stefanyk’s creative work took its rise in 1899 and lasts up to this day, just as we approach the celebration of the 150th anniversary of his birth. The extraordinary talent of the Pokuttia word-painter, who treated the story as a canvas, painting it with words, fascinates us with its scanty emotionalism, intense expressiveness and impressionistic picturesqueness of the works.