Usmishka

The usmishka ('little smile', a humorous sketch) is an original genre of Ukrainian humorous-satirical short prose, inaugurated by Ostap Vyshnia (Pavlo Hubenko), which combines features of the humorous tale, the feuilleton, and the sketch with an easy, good-naturedly ironic or sharply satirical intonation and a vivid national coloring. The writer himself introduced this name instead of the usual 'feuilleton', emphasizing the special warmth, lyricism, and folk quality of his laughter. Ostap Vyshnia's usmishky (Hunting Smiles, Let Us Ukrainize, and numerous satirical miniatures) combine sharp wit and the exposure of social vices with love for the human being, for native nature, and for the Ukrainian word. The genre is distinguished by laconism, living colloquial language, a wealth of folk humor, and an apt detail. The usmishka became Ostap Vyshnia's unique contribution to Ukrainian literature; despite repressions and exile, the writer preserved in this genre the life-affirming, folk spirit of Ukrainian laughter.