Biography

Iryna Shuvalova is a powerful voice of modern Ukrainian poetry, translation and cultural diplomacy

Education and scientific activity

Iryna Shuvalova is a world-renowned poet, translator and researcher. She earned a MA in Comparative Literature at Dartmouth College (USA, 2014) as a Fulbright Scholar, and later a PhD in Slavic Studies at the University of Cambridge (2020) with the support of a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Her research interests include war song, culture and politics in Eastern Europe. As of 2023, she works as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oslo (Norway).

Literary creativity

Author of five Ukrainian-language poetry collections, including:

  • "final songs" (2024) - named "future classic";
  • "Kaminsadlis" (2020) - received the awards "Litactist of the Year" and "Lviv - UNESCO City of Literature"*;
  • as well as the English-language "Pray to the Empty Wells" (2019) - recognized by The Observer as a "revelation".

Her poems have been translated into 32 languages, separate books have been published in Polish and Swedish, Norwegian, Italian and other languages ​​are expected.

Translation activity

Shuvalova is a recognized translator of modern Ukrainian poetry into English, laureate of the Yosip Brodsky / Stephen Spender Award (2012). In 2024, her translation of Ostap Slyvinsky's collection "The Winter King" (together with Vitaly Chernetsky) was included in the shortlist of the US National Translation Award and was awarded the Award of the American Association of Ukrainian Studies.

Among her translations are the works of Mykola Zerov, Pavlo Filipovych, Mykola Bazhan, as well as poetry of Ted Hughes, Luisa Glick and others. English-language authors.

Public and cultural activities

Shuvalova is the co-founder of the first Ukrainian queer poetry competition "goll[o]sni!", as well as the curator of the Ukrainian section of the Hong Kong marathon "24 Hours Poetry" (2024–2025). In 2009, she became co-editor of the anthology "120 pages of Sodom".

She participated in dozens of international poetry festivals (Stockholm, Oslo, Stuttgart, Vilnius, Mexico, China). Performs poetry readings, lectures and trainings, taught in Cambridge, Litosvita, Arvon Foundation.

Recognition and awards

Iryna Shuvalova — winner of numerous literary awards in Ukraine, in particular:

  • Award named after Oles Honchar,
  • Award "Torch" (first prize),
  • "Blagovist" award,
  • Laureate of the "LitAccent of the Year"**.

Summary

Iryna Shuvalova is a multifaceted figure in the literary, translation and scientific environment, combining poetic sensitivity, academic depth and cultural diplomacy. Its activities contribute to the global presence of Ukrainian culture — from New York and London to Beijing and Oslo.