Nataliia Anatoliivna Vorozhbyt, a celebrated Ukrainian playwright, screenwriter, and director, has made a significant impact in her field, and is often professionally referred to by her diminutive name, Natalka, which is derived from her given name.
Vorozhbyt's educational trajectory is characterized by her receipt of a degree from the renowned Maxim Gorky Literature Institute in Moscow, a milestone she achieved in the year 2000. This accomplishment was subsequently augmented by her enrollment in the esteemed Iowa Writers Workshop, a prestigious institution that has nurtured the talents of many celebrated writers.
In addition, Vorozhbyt has had the distinction of holding the prestigious position of Visiting Fellow and Ukrainian Writer in Residence at St Hugh's College, Oxford, a coveted honor she held for the term spanning 2023-24. Furthermore, in May 2024, she was formally inducted as a member of PEN Ukraine, a testament to her standing within the literary community.
Vorozhbyt's career has been marked by a unique challenge, as she has been compelled to write in both Russian and Ukrainian languages, a dual proficiency that has caused her increasing emotional turmoil over the years. In a poignant 2014 interview with The Moscow Times, she openly shared her sentiments, expressing her deep feelings of pain, hurt, and protest in response to the growing anti-Russian sentiment. She revealed that many of her Ukrainian friends had deliberately switched to writing exclusively in Ukrainian, a decision that resonated with her own sentiments, as she too felt the urge to abandon Russian in favor of Ukrainian. However, this desire was tempered by her love for the Russian language, which she had grown up with and continued to write in. Ultimately, she struggled with the idea of protesting against herself by giving up her native tongue, a dilemma that led her to eventually transition to writing almost exclusively in Ukrainian by the following year.
Oksana Vorozhbyt is a multifaceted artist, whose creative endeavors extend far beyond her writing. In a remarkable display of compassion and initiative, she co-founded the Theater of the Displaced alongside German director Georg Genoux, a groundbreaking platform that provides a voice to refugees from Donbas, allowing them to share their poignant stories with the world.
In addition to this remarkable endeavor, Vorozhbyt also curated the Class Act project, a testament to her dedication to bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. Furthermore, she wrote the screenplay for the feature film Cyborgs, a powerful and moving portrayal of the defense of Sergei Prokoviev Airport near Donetsk, where Ukrainian soldiers bravely fought for an astonishing 242 days against separatist forces.
Vorozhbyt's own experiences in the war zone are a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft. For four months, she traveled through the treacherous landscape, engaging in conversations with those directly affected by the conflict, and gathering inspiration for her work. This personal connection to the war-torn region is evident in her oeuvre, which frequently explores the tumultuous situation in Ukraine, reflecting her deep emotional bond with the country and its people.
