Letter Z

Oleksandr Sambrus, born on May 24, 1951, is a distinguished Ukrainian author who writes both in Ukrainian and Russian. A graduate of Kyiv State Taras Shevchenko University, he specialized in English and French within the Translators’ Department of the Faculty of Romano-Germanic Philology, with an additional focus on world literature.

After completing his education, Sambrus spent several years working abroad before returning to Ukraine in 1993. Upon his return, he played an active role in European projects aimed at transforming Ukrainian society and improving local governance. His insights into these topics found a platform in his work as a columnist for the Kievskie Vedomosti—the most widely circulated newspaper in Ukraine during that time—and later for the weekly Ukraine. Europe. World. Additionally, Sambrus has been a prominent voice in national media, often focusing on American subjects. He furthered his expertise with studies in the USA under the program “Print Press in the USA” in 1995.

Sambrus began his literary journey by contributing "small form" literary pieces to various media outlets. His debut novel, The Summer Heat. Extravaganza, was released in digital form by Andronum Publishers in 2015, quickly followed by The Partially Consumed Marriage. A Collection of Irreconcilable Stories—a compilation of short stories and a novelette. These works were later published in print by Folio Publishers, one of Ukraine’s major publishers. His subsequent novels, Uar-Marr. The Drama of Modern Life (also known as Springboard to Europe) and Our Times Hero, along with the short story collection Tsigel-tsigel…, were published by Sumit-Kniga, Kyiv.

A steadfast observer of his nation’s heartbeat, Sambrus chose to remain in Kyiv after the Russian military invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. His experiences during this turbulent period inspired him to write Letter Zed, a poignant response to the conflict. His recent endeavors also include a theatrical play, Guelder Rose vs Devil, a metaphorical representation of Ukraine’s resistance that is currently under literary review.

Oleksandr Sambrus’s works, characterized by a deep understanding of cultural and social dynamics, continue to resonate with readers in Ukraine and beyond.