• Source: Maksym Kryvtsov

      • Maksym Oleksandrovych Kryvtsov (Ukrainian: Максим Олександрович Кривцов; 22 January 1990 – 7 January 2024) was a Ukrainian poet, photographer, public figure, volunteer and soldier. He was a Junior sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war.


      Biography


      Maksym Oleksandrovych Kryvtsov was born in Rivne on 22 January 1990. His father was a press salesman, and his mother was a school librarian. He studied at secondary schools #23 and #28 in Rivne. He graduated from the Technical School of Technology and Design in Rivne with a degree in Production of Nonwoven Textile Materials.
      In 2014, Kryvtsov graduated from the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, where he studied footwear and leather goods design. He worked at the Rivne Factory of Nonwovens, as a sales assistant, assistant atelier master, and SMM manager of the Strokati yenoty project.
      Kryvtsov was a participant of the Revolution of Dignity. From 2014, he was a volunteer at the frontlines, and was a member of the ATO/JFO. He participated in combat operations as part of the 5th Battalion of the Right Sector (2014–2015), and later as a senior machine gunner in the Rapid Response Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine (2016–2019). After demobilization, he worked as a content manager at the YARMIZ Center for Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation of ATO and JFO Participants, and was a copywriter at Veteran Hub.
      With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kryvtsov rejoined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On 7 January 2024, his red cat, to whom he had dedicated the poem below, died along with him. On 11 January, a farewell service was held at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, and then on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. He was buried on 12 January in his hometown on the Alley of Heroes at the Nove Cemetery.


      Poetry


      Kryvtsov wrote poetry since he was a teenager. He was published in collections with works by other authors—"The Book of Love 2.0. Love and War", "Where I am at Home: 112 Poems about Love and War", and "Lullaby of the 21st Century Vol. 1: What Lulls You to Sleep?". Songs based on his poetry have been performed by the Ukrainian band Yurcash —"Dominant Height", "He is in the Armed Forces, She is in the TRO", and "Yellow Scotch". He was fond of photography.
      The song 'Yellow Scotch' based on a poem by Maksym Kryvtsov performed by the band 'Yurkesh' sounds in the movie 'Our Kitties'.
      In 2023, Kryvtsov published a collection of poetry Virshi z biinytsi, which was recognized as one of the best Ukrainian books of 2023 by PEN Ukraine.


      = My Ginger Tabby

      =
      When he falls asleep
      and slowly stretches his front legs
      he dreams of summer
      dreams of an unscathed brick house
      dreams of chickens
      running around the yard
      dreams of children
      who treat him to meat pies
      my helmet slips out of my hands
      falls on the mud
      the cat wakes up
      squints his eyes
      looks around carefully:
      yes, they’re his people:
      and falls asleep again.
      (excerpt translated by Christine Chraibi)


      Awards


      Order of Merit, 3rd class (22 January 2024, posthumously)


      References




      Further reading


      Korniyenko, Natalya (23 May 2023). "Echoes from the frontline: Maksym Kryvtsov on war, poetry, and why Ukrainian youth give him hope". Chytomo. Retrieved 8 January 2024.

    Kata Kunci Pencarian: