There is a certain magic in the printed word — not just the words themselves, but in the language in which they are composed. The rhythm of a sentence, the cadence of its syllables, the weight of its syntax — these things matter. And they matter deeply.
It is one thing to read a translation, where the words flow smoothly, rearranged neatly to fit the conventions of another tongue. But it is something entirely different to read a work in its original form, to experience it as the author intended. The novels of Victor Hugo, the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, the tragedies of William Shakespeare — these are more than stories; they are the products of minds working within the constraints and beauty of a particular language. They carry with them all the nuances, idioms, and cultural references that form the backbone of the narrative.
When we preserve a work in its original language, we do more than simply safeguard a text. We preserve a piece of the past, a thread to the cultural history of a time and place. Take the works of Dostoevsky, for example. In English, The Brothers Karamazov is a deeply philosophical novel, but in Russian, the rhythm and pace of the sentences echo the very turmoil and suffering that Dostoevsky himself endured in Siberian exile. The language is a part of the emotion, the suffering, the catharsis.
At Svarog Books, we recognize this, and we understand the importance of bringing these works into the world in their original languages. The thrill of reading an original text — whether it’s an obscure, forgotten tale from Ukrainian literature or a cornerstone of European thought — cannot be replicated in translation. As we continue to curate, publish, and distribute these works, we aim to provide access to something more profound than just the story — we aim to offer the experience of the text itself, in its raw, undistilled form.
We are a bridge between the past and the present, a way for new generations to step back into the shoes of those who first read these masterpieces in the language in which they were created. Our commitment to preserving these works in their original language goes beyond business — it is about cultural preservation, about ensuring that the literary heritage of the world remains intact for future generations.
As we move forward, we continue to champion these works, not just because they are classics, but because they are necessary. They speak to something eternal in the human condition, something that transcends translation. And in that act of preservation, we continue to speak to it as well.
