In Norway, the H//O//F publishing house released an anthology of modern Belarusian literature titled «Eksperter på grusomme tider» («Experts of Cruel Times»).
Most of the works were translated by Maryna Hobel, who also served as the editor and head of this comprehensive project, writes bellit.info.
Literary scholar Uliana Verina and Gunnar Wærness served as co-editors. Many people worked on the anthology, including illustrator Auginia Ptychka, and thanks to the Fritt Ord Foundation and the Norwegian Cultural Council, the book will be distributed to libraries. In 2021, the Belarusian association in Norway «Razam» initiated a crowdfunding campaign, and donor sponsorship allowed the book to finally be published.
«The anthology was named after a line from a poem by Tatsiana Sapach, — explains Uliana Verina — which best conveys the entire content, encompassing Belarusian literature in various historical, genre, and emotional dimensions. This was one of the most complex projects for me, starting in 2021 or even 2020, in another crazy time, like in another life. We painstakingly developed this content and concept, the sequence, the balance of poetry and prose, the number of authors – Maryna and I made difficult decisions, and more than once. Unfortunately, not all authors and works that were in the first (second, third, fifth...) versions made it into the final version, because in addition to all other reasons, there was also a certain page limit…»
Among other things, the anthology includes Vasil Bykaŭ's novella «The Afghan (Time of Jackals)» (translated by Martin Paulsen), Uladzimir Karatkievič's short story «The Blue and Gold of the Day», and poems by Veniamin Blažanny and Liudmila Rusava. In total, the publication features 26 authors.
Each author's section is accompanied by a short text about him or her to help the Norwegian reader understand the uniqueness and value of each individual.
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