Orwell, George; Yuri Shevchuk [John Chernyatynskyy] (translator)

Kolhosp Tvaryn: Kazka [Animal Farm]

[Augsburg]: Prometei, 1947. Grygoriiv, M. (Illustrator). First Ukrainian edition. Original pictorial wrappers. Fair. Item #51

90 pages. Portrait. 8vo (21 cm). Wrappers lightly worn. Translated by Igor Shevchenko under the pseudonym John Chernyatynskyy. Includes a black and white portrait of George Orwell.

In the introduction for this edition, Orwell explains his experiences during the Spanish Civil war and his connection to what he describes as "the negative impact of Soviet myth in Western socialist movement."

Shevchenko first read the book in English while living in a displaced persons camp. He chose to publish it under the title 'Kolghosp Tvaryn' which directly referenced collectivized farms instead of choosing the more direct translation of 'Ferma Tvaryn.'

"Shevchenko wrote to Orwell in London, and, working with him by letter, published Animal Farm in Ukrainian. In March 1947, Shevchenko printed around 5, 000 copies to distribute among the Ukrainian refugees in the displaced persons camps of postwar Germany and Austria. But only 2000 books were given out; U. S. Soldiers, suspecting the books of being anti-Stalin propaganda, confiscated the rest and handed them over to Soviet authorities to be destroyed." (Chalupa, "Orwell and the Refugees.").

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