Imperial myths and decolonization: books about Ukrainian navigator presented in Odesa

A presentation of two books by Ukrainian writer Anton Sanchenko - Cruz and Fox and Beauties Choose Lysiansky - took place in Odesa. The books offer a new, decolonized view of the history of navigation and imperial narratives.

This was reported by Natalia Dovbysh, an Intent correspondent.

The event gathered an interested audience, as it is not only about adventures and ocean travel, but also about rethinking the role of Ukrainians in world history.

Presentation of the books in Odesa. PHOTO: Natalia Mykhaylenko/Intent

Both books center on the figure of Yuriy Lysiansky, a native of Nizhyn, a sailor and officer who has long been inscribed in the imperial Russian narrative, deprived of his Ukrainian context. As the author and the participants of the presentation emphasize, his biography is much more complex and interesting than it was presented in the official history.

The books reconstruct the events of the early nineteenth century and at the same time raise uncomfortable questions: why Lysiansky 's role was downplayed, how imperial myths were formed, and how Ukrainian figures were "rewritten" to fit someone else's history. Sanchenko 's texts combine an adventurous tale of maritime expeditions with an intellectual revision of historical schemes, and reflect on cultural appropriation, memory, and the right to one's own history.

Presentation of the books in Odesa. PHOTO: Natalia Mykhaylenko/Intent

During the presentation, Svitlana Bondar, the head of the literary and dramatic department of the V. Vasylko Odesa Academic Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater, emphasized that the conversation goes far beyond the topic of navigation.

"Today's conversation will be not only about navigation, not only about great journeys, ships, and ocean routes. It is much broader. It is about how history is written and created. It is about who gets a voice in it and who is left out," Bondar said.

According to her, imperial narratives often "washed out" the biographies of prominent figures, their origin, language, and environment, appropriating them to another culture. That is why the figure of Lysiansky is indicative:"For a long time, he was not allowed to be seen in the Ukrainian story, neither as a person of great scale nor as a complex personality."

Anton Sanchenko emphasized that this presentation is a special event for him. The writer said that he moved to Odesa and published his new book Beauties Choose Lysiansky and republished Cruz and Fox here.

Presentation of the books in Odesa. PHOTO: Natalia Mykhaylenko/Intent

The author explained that his book is dedicated to Yuriy Lysiansky, the first Ukrainian sailor to sail around the world. He also noted that before the presentation, he recalled the connection between this figure and Odesa, which he explained in more detail during the meeting with readers.

The writer also shared his impressions of the city, with which he has a long-standing connection.

I worked in Odesa in the 90s and early 2000s. I have something to compare it with - I like the way it is changing. I am amazed by these changes," said Sanchenko.

The presentation was not only a literary event, but also a platform for a broader discussion about the decolonization of history, the Ukrainian presence in global stories, and the right to reclaim one's own names.

Book presentation in Odesa. PHOTO: Natalia Mykhaylenko/Intent

The participants of the meeting emphasized that this is about much more than the biography of one sailor-it is an attempt to rethink the very way we read and tell the past.

Also in March, the Bookstore-Café presented a new seriesOdesa through the Eyes of Strangers. The author described the city, the port, and the life of Odessans through the eyes of a person who saw Odesa 200 years ago.

Анна Бальчінос