“Chagall as He Should Be”: Miane Niama Publishes First Version of Artist’s Autobiography, Translated by Siarhei Shupa

Reform.news · 1 October 2026, 17:48

https://reform.news/en/chagall-as-he-should-be-miane-niama-publishes-first-version-of-artist-s-autobiography-translated-by-siarhei-shupa/

The Miane Niama publishing house has announced the release of Marc Chagall’s memoir “Svayo” (Ejgens). It is the earliest surviving version of the artist’s autobiography and gives readers access to his authentic, “unpolished” original vision.

The book is already at the printing house and is expected to be released in late October. The publisher describes it as its most ambitious project to date.

What Makes This Edition Unique?

Chagall originally wrote his memoirs in Russian, but that original text was lost. They were first published in 1925 in Yiddish, appearing in five issues of the New York magazine “Di cukunft” (“The Future”).

The Belarusian translation by Siarhei Shupa is based on a unique 80-page typescript from the archives of “Di cukunft,” held by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York, taking into account changes and additions made in the magazine publication.

The widely known French version of the autobiography, “My Life,” published in 1931 in a translation by the artist’s wife, Bella Chagall, differs significantly from the original source.

“The 1925 Yiddish version preserves Chagall’s authentic original vision,” Siarhei Shupa notes in the afterword. “The French version presents the public with a more acceptable and ‘safer’ image of Chagall, removing everything that might create an undesirable impression.”

Thus, “Svayo” offers an opportunity to see the artist without the later self-censorship and editing.

Miane Niama describes the edition as its largest-scale project to date:

“This is probably our most ambitious project. And we are delighted that it has come to fruition. Our personal interests, the interest of the public and the translator, as well as the goodwill of the patrons who supported this publication, all came together here. Thank you to everyone involved!”

The book can be pre-ordered here.

 

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