Slexandr Jovna Ukrainian writer and screenwriter Date of Birth: 15.02.1960 Country: Ukraine

1. Alexander Zhovna: Ukrainian Writer and Screenwriter
2. Education and Career
3. Works
4. Personal Life and Recognitions

Alexander Zhovna: Ukrainian Writer and Screenwriter

Alexander Yuryevich Zhovna was born on February 15, 1960, in Novomyrhorod, Kirovohrad Oblast. He is a Ukrainian writer and screenwriter who is a member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine and the National Union of Cinematographers of Ukraine. In 2008, he was honored as a Merited Artist of Ukraine.

Education and Career

In 1982, Zhovna graduated from Kyiv Pedagogical Institute named after Gorky (now known as the M.P. Dragomanov National Pedagogical University). Despite his notable presence in contemporary Ukrainian culture, Zhovna continues to work as a special education teacher at the Novomyrhorod Boarding School for Mentally Challenged Children, where he started working in 1982. He consciously refuses to move to Kyiv, stating that he finds it more interesting to interact with intellectually challenged individuals to write for those who are not mentally challenged.

Works

Zhovna is the author of several books, including "Score on a Gravestone," "The Widow," "Experiment," "A Little Life," and "Her Body Smelled Like Winter Apples." Three of his stories, "Score on a Gravestone," "SH Second hand," and "Experiment," have been adapted into films. "Score on a Gravestone" (1995) and "Second hand" (both directed by Yaroslav Lupy) and "Bright Night" (directed by Roman Balayan) are among the films based on his works. In 2008, Zhovna made his directorial debut by adapting his own drama, "A Little Life." The film participated in the Pokrov and Molodist film festivals.

Personal Life and Recognitions

Zhovna is often referred to as a "writer of the otherworldly" due to his interest in border states and the parallel world of people with unconventional minds, intellects, and physical development. He admits that he speaks little Ukrainian and mostly communicates in a mixture of Ukrainian and Russian known as "surzhyk." His story "A Little Life" is included in the Ukrainian literature school curriculum.

On August 19, 2008, he was awarded the title of "Merited Artist of Ukraine" for his significant personal contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of Ukraine, as well as his notable professional achievements, on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Zhovna is also the recipient of several literary awards, including a diploma for the screenplay "The Road" at the All-Ukrainian Novel and Screenplay Competition "Coronation of the Word" in 2000, and for the screenplays "Experiment" in 2001 and "The Widow" in 2003.

Since 1985, Zhovna has been married to Svetlana Portenko, who also works at the Novomyrhorod Boarding School. They have a daughter named Anastasia, born in 1986.