Collection 'Neohopia' of Fallen Poet Oleg Klyufas Released

The poetry collection titled 'Neohopia,' dedicated to the memory of the renowned Ukrainian poet Oleg Klyufas, has been published. The news was reported by the Ukrinform news agency and cultural portal Chytomo. This new book features a variety of genres, including haiku, literal crabs, poetic beetles, essays, miniatures, phraseologisms, and even reading mistakes. A distinctive feature of the collection is the neohopias—a unique genre coined by Klyufas himself.

According to Lesyk Panasyuk, the editor, designer, and typesetter of the book, 'Neohopia' is a term that Oleg invented for his poems, which were written almost entirely with neologisms formed in the most diverse ways. It evidently means 'that which cannot be grasped or comprehended.' This definition fits the entirety of Oleg's work, which is why the book has such a title.

Panasyuk noted that the cover design of the collection incorporates Klyufas's original illustrations, which he vectorized. Additionally, a literary representation inspired by these works and the poet's overall creativity was created, highlighting his unique style.

Oleg Klyufas, also known by the call sign 'Jazz,' was not only a poet but also a translator, philosopher, and volunteer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Born in the village of Volostkiv, he spent most of his life in Lviv, where he created his works. In 2001, he graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, specializing in Philosophy.

Klyufas began writing poetry in the late 1990s, constantly experimenting with forms and styles. He translated songs from world classics and contemporary works from various languages, demonstrating his deep knowledge and love for literature. He was an active participant in the band 'Mykola Miklukho-Maklai' and the folk male choir 'Prometheus.' Oleg created over 300 palindromes and co-founded the genre 'poetic beetle,' further proving his innovative approach to poetry.

Klyufas also translated songs and texts from English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Kartvelian, French, Lithuanian, Czech, and other languages, showcasing his versatility as an artist. He actively participated in the 'Ukraine Without Kuchma' protests, the Orange Revolution, and the Revolution of Dignity, reflecting his civic stance and dedication to Ukraine.

After the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Oleg Klyufas voluntarily joined the ranks of the 125th separate territorial defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As part of the 'Sykhiv' battalion, he served as a senior gunner in a mortar crew. Unfortunately, the poet was killed on June 13, 2023, while performing a combat mission near the village of Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region, leaving behind a vast legacy in Ukrainian literature.

As previously reported, another book by writer and serviceman Artem Chapaia titled 'Not Born for War' will also be released in Chinese and Korean, indicating the growing interest in Ukrainian literature on the international stage.

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