“In my travels, from land to land, I never encountered the paradise I had hoped for. But sometimes, at least, I captured a few glimpses of earthly happiness from afar, and now this has a greater value for me than any imaginary paradise,” Sofia Yablonska, 1934.
In the realm of photography and travel literature, Sofia Yablonska's name should be better known than it is today. Her legacy as an early 20th century Ukrainian photographer, writer, and explorer is a testament to her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit. Born in 1907 in the small village of Hermaniv, Yablonska's journey from the pastoral landscapes of Ukraine to the far corners of the globe is a story worth knowing.
Early Life and Inspirations
Sofia Yablonska’s formative years were marked by stark economic hardships that forced her family to split apart at Yalinkova. In the wake of these challenges, Sofia and her brother Yaroslav initially sought refuge with relatives in Yazlovets, near Buchach. The instability of her early environment became a crucible for resilience, eventually leading the siblings to relocate to Ternopil. There, amid modest means, Sofia attended gymnasium where she acquired practical skills in sewing, bookkeeping, and acting—essentials that not only provided for survival but also sowed the seeds of her creative ambitions.
Determined to transcend the limitations imposed by poverty, at the age of 20 in 1927, Sofia made the decision to emigrate to Paris to pursue film school and her dream of becoming an actress. In a city famed for its cultural renaissance, she began her new life far from the familiar struggles of her youth. Initially, Sofia worked as a window-cleaner—a humble start that underscored her determination. Her persistence soon paid off when she secured a small role in a Pathé film, and she even found opportunities modeling, each step paving the way toward a future where her artistic vision could flourish despite her difficult beginnings.
Journey as a Travel Photographer & "Blogger"
While living in Paris, Yablonska immersed herself in the vibrant art scene and forged lasting friendships, notably with Stepan Levynsky—a respected orientalist and fellow Ukrainian migrant. It was Levynsky who inspired her to embark on a daring career as a photo reporter, urging her to explore the world beyond the familiar. Embracing this new path, she set out on journeys that would carry her from the ancient medinas of Morocco to the bustling metropolises of China, and further to the lush landscapes of Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Java, Bali, Tahiti, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Throughout the 1930s, Yablonska's evocative travel narratives and striking photographs began to appear in Galician magazines such as Women's Fate and New Home. One could say that this was the birth of her "travel blog." Her work provided a nuanced perspective on the profound impacts of European colonialism on local cultures, while also revealing her personal challenges with Western Europeans. As one of the first women documentary cinematographers, she chronicled everyday life—from the tender moments of street markets to the quiet dignity of daily rituals—with an authenticity that resonated deeply with her audience.
Driven by modernist aspirations and a steadfast promise made to herself during the turbulent 1920s, Yablonska chose travel as her way of life. Her groundbreaking works—epitomized in titles like The Charm of Morocco (1932), From the Land of Rice and Opium (1936), and Distant Horizons (1939)—not only celebrated the quirks of non-European cultures but also highlighted the diverse polyphony of Europe itself. By venturing into unfamiliar territories, she approached the very limits of language and experience, capturing moments that defied simple description.
“To be honest, instead of teaching your children, I prefer to learn from you your wisdom, your customs, and your way of life. If I ever had to teach you, I would rather try to teach you a way to return to some of your ancient customs, traditions, and knowledge than to help you seek false happiness in our books, in our laws, which after all were not created for you and your islands”. -Sofia Yablonska on a request to teach French to children from Tahiti.
Risking her life on more than one occasion to seize the perfect shot, Yablonska’s photographs reveal the true essence of humanity. Whether depicting a child being fed, a market transaction, or the simple joy of a holiday moment, her subjects consistently met the camera’s gaze with interest and approval-except in Huan, where capturing photographs of locals was no easy task as many believed that a camera could capture and steal one's soul. To navigate this cultural barrier, she ingeniously rented a room overlooking a bustling street. She transformed one section into a storefront, while another was discreetly arranged to film daily life without intruding. Through this clever setup, she was able to document a range of events, from ordinary routines to the vibrant procession of a wedding and the somber dignity of a ceremonial funeral. Through her lens, she transcended the orientalist trap and moved beyond egocentrism and ethnocentrism, offering an unvarnished view of the world that was as compassionate as it was bold.
In her pioneering work as a travel photographer, Sofia Yablonska not only documented the beauty and complexity of diverse cultures but also left an indelible mark on the art of visual storytelling—a legacy that continues to inspire and enlighten.
Later Life and Legacy
After her groundbreaking travels, Yablonska’s journey took a transformative turn. Returning from Morocco to France, she embraced the world of documentary filmmaking with the Societe Indochine Films et Cinema—a new chapter that led her to China. There, while capturing the essence of life on film, she met Jean Oudin, a French ambassador whose influence would forever change her course. In 1933, their union marked the beginning of a shared adventure, as they raised three children against the vibrant backdrops of China and French Indochina until 1946.
In 1946, the Oudin family returned to Europe and settled in Paris, only to find themselves drawn by the allure of the Atlantic. By 1950, they had moved to Noirmoutier, a tidal island off the French coast, where Sofia’s creative spirit found new expression. Embracing architecture, she designed their home with the same innovative fervor that had defined her earlier pursuits. On Noirmoutier, her passion for literature flourished as well. With the support of Marta Kalytovska—a trusted collaborator she met at the Shevcheko Society in Sarcelles—Sofia organized her writings and translated them into French, ensuring her voice resonated beyond borders.
It was during this reflective period that she began work on her most significant memoir, Knyha pro batka. Z moho dytynstva (Book About My Father. From My Childhood), a poignant account of her formative years and family ties. Though published posthumously in 1977, this work remains a treasured window into her personal history and the hardships that molded her resilient spirit.
Tragically, on February 4, 1971, while en route to Paris with the manuscript of her final work, Two Weights, Two Measures (Dvi vahy—dvi miry), Yablonska lost her life in a car accident. Initially laid to rest beside Jean in Vernouillet, Yvelines, their remains were later reinterred on Noirmoutier in 1973—a final return to the island that had become her sanctuary.
Sofia Yablonska’s later years are a testament to her relentless pursuit of creative expression. Whether behind the camera, the film reel, or drafting architectural plans, she continued to defy convention and challenge boundaries. Her legacy endures in her diverse body of work and in the enduring spirit of exploration and resilience that continues to inspire new generations.
Disclaimer: all photos are copyrighted to the heirs of Sofia Yablonska Oudin. These images have been sourced online and they are used in order to showcase Sofia's work.
Further Reading
Here is a list of Sofia Yanblonska's Photography Books. This list has been collected from the dedicated Wikipedia page. Many of her writings are only available in Ukranian and French, although there are several articles in English that have been very helpful in putting together this blog post. Recently, the Sofia Yablonska Foundation is attempting to reconstruct the life and work of this Ukranian photographer. Their webiste should be the first stop in learning more about her: https://sofiayablonskafound.org/
Books by Sofia Yamblonska
Travel writing
Le Charm of Morocco (Char Marokko; Ukrainian: Чар Марокко; The Charm of Morocco; Der Charme von Marokko. Travelogue): Ukraine: Lviv: Shevchenko Scientific Society, Lviv, 1932 OCLC 81406147; France: Paris [s.n.] 1973 Paris Impr. P.I.U.F. (in French) OCLC 461501331; Ukraine: Rodovid 2018 (in Ukrainian) ISBN 978-617-7482-27-6; Germany: KUPIDO Literaturverlag 2020 (in German) ISBN 978-3966750103;
Au pays du riz et de l'opium (Z kraïny ryzhu ta opiiu; З країни рижу та опію; From the Land of Rice and Opium): Ukraine: Lviv: Biblioteka "Dila" (2 vols) 1936 (in Ukrainian) OCLC 234320099; France: Paris: Nouv. éd. latines, cop. 1986 (in French) ISBN 2-7233-0338-1 / ISBN 9782723303385; Ukraine: Rodovid 2018 (in Ukrainian) ISBN 978-617-7482-28-3;
Two Weights, Two Measures (Dvi vahy—dvi miry; Дві ваги — дві міри; Deux poids – deux mesures: contes et essais): France: Paris 1972 (in Ukrainian) OCLC 8970309;
France: Paris 1972 (in French); L’année ensorcelée: Nouvelle: France: Paris [La Guérinière] [M. Kalytovska] 1972 Paris Impr. P.I.U.F. (in French);
Les horizons lointains (Daleki obriï: podoroz︠h︡ni narysy; Daleki gorryzonty; Distant Horizons): Ukraine: Lviv: Biblioteka "Dila" (2 vols): 1939 OCLC 44819137; France: Paris: Nouvelles éditions latines, 1977 (in French) ISBN 2-7233-0003-X / ISBN 9782723300032; Ukraine: Kyiv: Rodovid 2018 (in Ukrainian) ISBN 978-617-7482-29-0;
Mon enfance en Ukraine: Souvenirs sur mon père (Kniga pro bat:':ka z mogo ditinstva; Book about [My] Father: From My Childhood): France: 1977, France: Paris: Nouvelles éditions latines, 1981 (in French) ISBN 2-7233-0114-1 / ISBN 9782723301145; France: Edmonton Paris Slovo [1978] Paris Impr. PIUF (in Ukrainian) OCLC 461588983;
Листи з Парижа. Листи з Китаю: Подорожні нариси, новели, оповідання, есеї, інтерв’ю (Lysty z Paryza. Lysty z Kytaju. Podorozni narysy, nowely, opowidannia, іnterwju) Ukraine: Piramida 2018 (in Ukrainian) ISBN 978-966-441-518-4.
Чар Марока. З країни рижу та опію. Далекі обрії (3 in 1 volume), Ukraine: Piramida 2015 (in Ukrainian) ISBN 978-966-441-381-4;
Photography
Téoura: Sophie Jablonska (Intro: Oksana Zabozhko): Ukraine: Kyiv: Rodovid 2018 (in Ukrainian; photographies by Sofia Yablonska-Oudin) ISBN 978-966-7845-40-7.
Other resources:
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