Ivan Kotliarevsky

Ivan Kotlyarevskyi (1769–1838) was a Ukrainian writer, poet, and playwright, widely regarded as the founder of modern Ukrainian literature. His work marked a decisive shift toward the use of the living Ukrainian vernacular in literary writing. Kotlyarevskyi is best known for Eneida, a burlesque travesty of Virgil’s epic, reimagined within a Ukrainian cultural context. In the poem, the Trojan heroes appear as Cossacks, and the classical narrative is infused with folk humour, satire, and vivid depictions of everyday life and customs. In addition to Eneida, Kotlyarevskyi wrote the plays Natalka Poltavka and The Soldier-Sorcerer, which became foundational works of Ukrainian professional theatre. His legacy has had a lasting influence on Ukrainian literature and theatre and remains culturally significant today.