Vasil Bykaŭ was able to speak about the war in such a way that there was no room for falsehood in his words. "The Alpine Ballad" is not a story about a heroic feat in the usual sense, but a story about humanity, which is born even where, it seems, it has no chance to survive. At the center of the text is love, which arises despite fear, captivity, and death, and becomes the only form of freedom in a world of violence.
*** Vasil Bykaŭ is a name known throughout the world. His truth about the war was always not just impressive, it was searing. His depth of understanding of the ups and downs of human nature in our literature is unparalleled.
"The Alpine Ballad" is a poignant story about love, which – Bykaŭ, a front-line soldier, knew this like no one else – does not recognize breaks for war.
