“A SONG NEVER-WANING” - SYMPOSIUM IN MEMORY OF VERA RICH (1936-2009)

Symposium honouring Vera Rich—poet, translator and champion of Ukrainian & Belarusian culture. Talks, readings, reflections. Limited spaces.

Vera Rich (1936–2009) was one of the most remarkable cultural mediators between Britain and Eastern Europe in the twentieth century. A poet, translator, journalist and tireless advocate, she dedicated her life to bringing Ukrainian and Belarusian literature, history and voices to the English-speaking world - often at times when these cultures were overlooked, misunderstood or politically suppressed.

Her translations opened doors to writers such as Taras Shevchenko, Lesia Ukrainka and Maksim Bahdanovič, combining linguistic precision with poetic sensitivity. Beyond translation, her journalism and public engagement reflected a deep moral commitment to intellectual freedom, cultural dignity and historical truth. She was not simply an observer of these cultures, but a participant in their struggles and a champion of their visibility in the West.

This symposium, “A Song Never-Waning,” brings together scholars, writers, translators and those who knew her personally to reflect on Vera Rich’s enduring legacy. Through academic discussion, literary reflection and personal recollection, the event explores her contributions to Ukrainian and Belarusian studies, translation practice and cross-cultural dialogue.

Held jointly by the Shevchenko Library and Archive and the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum, the symposium also celebrates the shared intellectual and cultural spaces that Vera Rich herself helped to sustain.

Due to the intimate setting and to encourage meaningful discussion, places are limited and advance booking is essential.