Lina Kostenko

Lina Kostenko stands as a monumental figure in Ukrainian letters, her achievements spanning over six decades of unwavering dedication to her craft. She is the only living recipient of the Shevchenko National Prize, Ukraine's highest literary honor, a testament to her unparalleled contribution to the nation's culture. Her receipt of the Legion of Honour from France in 2010 places her among the few non-French citizens recognized for their defense of liberty and art. The Sheptytsky Award in 2025 further cements her status as a global voice for human rights. Her ability to maintain creative output well into her nineties, releasing major works like Wind from Mars at age 96, is a record of endurance rarely seen in the literary world.