Literaturniy Iarmarok [Literary Fair].

'Hello! Hello! Hello! Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!'

Seven issues of the important but short-lived literary and artistic almanac from representatives of the Ukrainian modernist movement. Published in a period when national culture was prospering, the almanac was a bastion of creative freedom which would soon be suppressed and later erased by Soviet authorities. It remains a scarce testament to the artistic efforts made in these years.

Mykhailo Johansen initiated the idea of an almanac which was implemented by Mykola Khvylovy and Mykola Kulish in December 1928 in Kharkiv. The name Literaturniy Iarmarok originally referred to an area in the centre of the city where newspaper and magazine editorial offices were located. Writers and journalists would meet here at cafes and the word 'fair' hints at the idea of a freedom of ideas as opposed to state run literary organisations. There were 12 issues in total the first was numbered 'Book 131' as the founders wanted to emphasise that it did not appear in a vacuum, it was ancient, like the entire fair tradition.

The almanac published satirical works which were quickly criticised and the cover designs by Petrytsky (which reproduced his stage designs for the opera Sorochynskyi Iarmarok) were also attacked. The publication was banned in 1930 and Johansen, Khvyolovy and Kulish along with many others from their circle were part of a group that is now referred to as the 'executed renaissance' as they all fell victim to Stalin's purges.

First editions, 7 issues, 8vo; illustrations throughout; two issues with the original jackets designed by Petrytsky, one with significant loss, all issues with some degree of wear to wrappers but holding fine, a fair set.