Lesja Ukrajinka

Lesja Ukrajinka (1871–1913), born Laryssa Kosach, was a Ukrainian writer, playwright and translator, as well as a representative of the women’s movement. She spoke several languages and translated, among others, works by Shakespeare and Heine into Ukrainian. She deliberately chose the pseudonym “Ukrajinka” as a citizen of an empire that banned publications in the Ukrainian language. Illness-related stays in Europe, Egypt and Crimea influenced her work.