- December 21, 2025
- 7:02 pm
- Israel
Project “немалаנְמָלָה” is a unique initiative aimed at bringing two cultures closer together through fiction. The main objective of the project is to translate works from Ukrainian into Hebrew and from Hebrew into Ukrainian.
The initiators of the project are Asaf Bartov And Natalia Timkiv is an Israeli-Ukrainian family for whom it is important to preserve and share the wealth of two cultures. They want their daughter and her peers to live in a world where the best works of Ukrainian and Israeli literature will be available in their native languages.
Fact: the translation of “Moscoviad” by Yuri Andrukhovich became the first book in history translated from Ukrainian into Hebrew.
The name of the project sounds the same in Ukrainian and Hebrew, but has different meanings:
- In Hebrew: “נְמָלָה” means “muraha” and symbolizes hard work and perseverance.
- In Ukrainian: “немала” translates as “quite large”, which reflects the ambitions of the project.
Assaf and Natalia believe that culture and literature should be accessible to everyone. Their dream is a world where children can read books about Ukraine in Hebrew, and books about Israel in Ukrainian.
The project started in 2020 and has since released several translations.
Editions in Ukrainian, translation from Hebrew:
- Yanets Levi, “The Adventures of Uncle Lev in the Romanian Steppes”, translation by Anya Khromova, Kinneret Zmora Dvir Publishing House, 2007.
Editions in Hebrew, translation from Ukrainian:
- Yuri Andrukhovich, “Moscoviada”, translation by Anton Paperny, publishing house 9 Lives Press2020.
- Yuri Vinnichuk, “Tango of Death”, translation by Anton Paperny, publishing house 9 Lives Press2022.
- Oksana Zabuzhko, “Field research of Ukrainian sex”, translation by Anton Paperny, publishing house 9 Lives Press2024.
Why are translations important?
Translation is not just transferring text from one language to another. This is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of both cultures.
Before the project was launched, there were several key problems:
- Translations through intermediate languages.Previously, Ukrainian works were translated into Hebrew through English or Russian, which led to the loss of details of the original text.
- Lack of consistency.Translations were carried out haphazardly, and most of them never reached the general reader.
Thanks to “немалаנְמָלָה” these problems were solved. All translations are made from the original, which guarantees accuracy and preservation of the author’s style.
Why is this important for Israel and Ukraine?
The connection between the Ukrainian and Jewish peoples is rooted in deep history. However, like many relationships, they require constant dialogue. Literature in this case plays the role of a cultural diplomat.
Key tasks:
- Expanding mutual understanding:Translations help to destroy stereotypes and find common ground.
- Preservation of languages and cultures:Translation of literature contributes to the popularization of national cultures outside their countries.
- Formation of new generations:Children who grow up in a bilingual environment will be able to build closer ties between Ukraine and Israel.
NEWS and the project “немалаנְמָלָה”
Website NAnews — Israel News supports initiatives that strengthen cultural ties. The “nemalaנְмָלָה” project is an example of how enthusiasts change the world through literature.
On our website you will find current news about similar projects, as well as analytics about cultural and geopolitical events that unite Ukraine and Israel.
The future of the project: how to become part of “немалаנְמָלָה”?
The founders of the project invite everyone to join. Here’s how you can help:
- Support the initiative financially or through promotion.
- Join the translation team.
- Share information about the project on social networks.
Contacts “немалаנְמָלָה”:
Project website – https://nemala.org/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nemala.org/
By the way, before the screening of the film “The Word House”. An Unfinished Novel,” which took place on December 4 in Tel Aviv, viewers were able to hear Ukrainian poetry in Hebrew.
The talk was about the poem “Yar” by Nikola Bazhan, translated by Anton Paperny (literary edition by Asaf Bartov, founder of the Ukrainian-Hebrew publishing project “Nemala”).
The poem was read by Asaf Bartov.
we wrote about this – “Budynok “The Word”: A Never-ending Romance” – a unique screening of a Ukrainian film in Tel Aviv on December 4, 2024
The project “a lot” demonstrates how enthusiasm and love for literature can bring two peoples together. Ukrainian and Israeli cultures are rich in their traditions, and thanks to this project, their unique works are becoming available to an increasing number of readers.
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