Volodymyr Malyk

Volodymyr Malyk (; born Volodymyr Sychenko; 21 February 1921 – 31 August 1998) was a Soviet-Ukrainian writer. Also known as a literary critic, he wrote reviews of the works of Ukrainian prose writers; published the book "Oles Donchenko" about the life and work of the famous children's writer .

Personal life Malyk was born into a peasant family. In 1938 he entered the philological faculty of Kiev University, at the same time he began composing poetry. With the outbreak of war, he had to interrupt his education. He enlisted in militia, worked in defense near Kiev and Kharkov, was wounded. From 1943 he was in German concentration camps; returning home only in October 1945. After the war, he worked as a teacher at Yasnogorodsky secondary school. In 1950 he graduated from Kyiv University in absentia. In 1953 he moved to Lubny.

Publications The first publication in 1957 was a poetic historical fairy tale-legend "Cranes, little cranes". This was followed by

Historical poems (legends) "Magic Ring" "Avenger from the Forest" "Red Rose" "Nikita Kozhumyaka" "Voivode Dmitry"

Tales "Black Equator" "Rookie" "Two wins" "The trail leads to the sea" "Two Above the Abyss"

Historical novels "Ambassador of Urus-Shaitan" (1968) "Sultan's Firman" (1969) "Black Rider" (1976) "Silk Lace" (1977) "Prince Kiy" (1982) "Black Shields" (1985) "Candle Burning" (Horyt' svicha) (1992), The novel tells about the Mongol invasion into the territory of Eastern Ukraine and the siege of Kyiv. The primary role in the novel is given to ordinary people living in communities. The author thanks the termination of the Mongol invasion precisely to that people and instead blames the elites for lack of coordination and wisdom.

Awards Malyk received Literary Prize named after Lesya Ukrainka (1983) - for works on a historical and patriotic theme for children (including the novels "Ambassador of Urus-Shaitan", "Silk Lace" and "Prince Kiy").