A collection of short stories by an Odessa author has made it to the finals of the Hryhorii Prize

The collection of military prose *Who We Were* by Odessa-based writer Valery Puzik has been shortlisted for the “Hryhir” Award. The work made it into the top three finalists, selected from among 48 nominees.

This was reported by the cultural agency “Tereny,” which established the award.

Also shortlisted for the 2026 award are the collection “Temporary Difficulties” by Olga Bogomaz and the book “Angels and People: Unusual Stories About Ordinary People” by Myroslav Dochynets. 

Valery Puzik’s book chronicles the author’s experiences and emotions on the front lines. The writer’s personal experiences and observations are transformed into stories about human dignity, memory, loss, and the ability to remain human amid the harsh realities of war.

The winner’s name will be announced during a formal ceremony to be held on December 5 in Poltava—on the 95th anniversary of Hryhoriy Tiutiunnyk’s birth. The winner will receive a commemorative sculpture, a cash prize of $4,000 in hryvnia equivalent, as well as support for the promotion and translation of their works abroad.

In addition, a Special Award from Radio Kultura will be presented during the event; the prize for this award will be the creation of a radio adaptation of works from the winner’s collection.

The jury, which evaluated the submissions and will select the winner, consists of:

• Ivan Andrusyak —poet, children’s author, translator, and editor;
• Myroslava Barchuk —journalist, TV host, essayist, and documentary filmmaker;
• Tamara Gundorova —literary scholar and cultural studies expert, professor, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
• Rostyslav Semkiv — writer, literary scholar, literary critic, translator, associate professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy;
• Tetyana Teren — journalist, cultural manager, and director of the “Tereny” cultural agency.

Юлія Калабайда