Ukrainian

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe, known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and resilient people. From the Carpathian Mountains in the west to the vast steppes in the east, Ukraine boasts a variety of natural beauty. The nation’s history is marked by periods of independence and foreign domination, contributing to a strong sense of national identity. Kyiv, the capital, is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, with a history dating back over a millennium. Ukraine’s cultural contributions include traditional music, dance, and a vibrant literary scene. Despite recent challenges, including political unrest and conflict, Ukrainians continue to uphold their cultural traditions and language. The country has made significant strides in promoting its heritage on the global stage. Ukraine’s commitment to preserving its identity is evident in various initiatives, including the translation of international literature into Ukrainian.

The Ukrainian Language

Ukrainian (Українська) is an East Slavic language, closely related to Belarusian and Russian, but with distinct features that set it apart. It uses a version of the Cyrillic alphabet, sharing many letters with Russian but also including unique characters to represent specific Ukrainian sounds. In terms of vocabulary, Ukrainian is closer to Belarusian and shares similarities with Polish, Slovak, and Czech, reflecting historical interactions with neighboring countries. Grammar-wise, Ukrainian is considered somewhat more straightforward than Russian, with fewer exceptions and a more regular structure. Phonetically, Ukrainian is characterized by a melodic intonation and the frequent use of the [i] sound, distinguishing it from Russian’s harder consonant sounds. While mutual intelligibility exists to some extent, especially among speakers familiar with both languages, Ukrainian and Russian are distinct languages with their own identities. The promotion of Ukrainian language and culture has been a significant aspect of the country’s post-independence efforts. Educational reforms and media initiatives have further solidified Ukrainian’s status as the state language.

Asterix in Ukrainian

Asterix was introduced to Ukrainian readers in 2025. The first Ukrainian edition, titled Астерікс і Готський вождь (Asterix and the Goths), was published by Pinzel Editions, a Ukrainian publisher also known for translating Tintin. This marks the 120th language into which the adventures of the indomitable Gaul have been translated. The translation was carried out by Anna-Maria Balandina, an 18-year-old Ukrainian student based in Paris and a devoted Asterix fan.

The release was officially announced at the prestigious Angoulême International Comics Festival in January 2025, underscoring the symbolic importance of the event. This initiative also serves as a tribute to the Ukrainian roots of Asterix co-creator René Goscinny, whose mother’s family originated from present-day Ukraine. The Ukrainian edition aims to faithfully preserve the humor and cultural richness of the original, while making it accessible to a new audience.