ENG: Yuriy Andrukhovych—The Phantom Is Buried Here

1. Fantomas as a Symbol of the AgesThe title isn’t about a detective, but about collective memory. Here, Fantomas embodies the “ghosts” of the past (Soviet, imperial, childhood) that haven’t disappeared but have simply changed their masks. Andrukhovych reflects on how we try to “bury” old meanings, yet they continue to influence our present.
2. Geography and “Cartography of the Spirit”Andrukhovych is a recognized master of geopoetics. In his texts, you will find:
Ukraine: from Carpathian landscapes to the capital’s squares during revolutions.
Europe: Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna, Prague. The author compares these worlds, searching for where the “East” ends and the “West” begins, and where we stand in all of this.
3. Cultural AssaultThe author actively draws on his knowledge as a music lover and polymath. Each essay is a tapestry of references to:
Music: from classical to rock and jazz.
Literature: dialogues with classics and contemporaries.
Film: analysis of visual images that shape our perception of reality.
4. Political Reflection and IronyAndrukhovych does not shy away from sensitive topics. He writes about Maidan, the war, political manipulation, and “vatnik” psychology. However, he does so not as a dry analyst, but as a satirist who mocks the absurdity of totalitarian thinking and human stupidity.