A panel discussion and presentation of five books dedicated to the 100th anniversary of modern Ukrainian literature took place at Ukraine House in Washington, D.C. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University (HURI) and brought together leading Ukrainian writers, scholars, and diplomats.
Oleg Kotsyuba, director of print and digital publications at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard, and the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States reported this.
The book launch, titled "Fighting for Freedom, Defending Dignity: 100 Years of Modern Ukrainian Literature," featured translations of Ukrainian classics and contemporary prose written over the course of a century of resistance, identity exploration, and linguistic liberation.
Denis Senik, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, opened the event, which was moderated by Katya Smaglyi, Advisor to the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. The program featured translations of Ukrainian classics and contemporary literature published by the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard to promote Ukrainian literature abroad.
Speakers included Dr. Oleg Kotsyuba; Oksana Lutsyshyna, a writer and associate professor at the University of Texas; Nina Murray, a poet and translator; Mykola Ryabchuk, a literary scholar and the honorary president of PEN Ukraine; and Volodymyr Rafeyenko, the author of the novel Signals of Being.
"I had the honor of meeting Volodymyr Rafeyenko, the author of Signals of Being, a book that United Help Ukraine helped publish with the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. It was a unique opportunity to learn about contemporary Ukrainian literature and the tragedy of losing an entire generation of brilliant Ukrainian writers and poets who were executed by Russian communists. There is hope, however, of introducing their books to American readers," shared Marina Baiduk, a participant in the event.
During the event, the organizers called for participation in disseminating Ukrainian culture in the United States by purchasing translated editions for oneself, one's family, and one's friends on the the website website.
Ukrainian figures emphasized that Russia is still trying to destroy Ukrainian identity, yet the Ukrainian people continue to fight for freedom and dignity.
The event was organized by the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University in collaboration with Razom for Ukraine and with the support of the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States.
Author: Inna Mikhno