Harvard has launched the “Ukrainian Book Challenge” campaign, an initiative that calls on friends of Ukraine around the world to buy at least one English-language book about Ukraine or by a Ukrainian author per year. Each copy purchased becomes a contribution to supporting translators, publishers, and the broader presence of Ukrainian culture in the global space. The campaign has already been joined by historian Timothy Snyder, who urged readers to make the book a “voice of solidarity” with Ukraine. The campaign’s slogan is “Buy one Ukrainian book – pass the challenge on. Put Ukraine on the bookshelves of the world.”
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Harvard University (HURI).
It is reported that the Ukrainian Research Institute of Harvard University (HURI), together with the Union of Ukrainian Women of America (UNWLA) and with the support of the HUCUS Foundation, announced the launch of a new long-term campaign “Ukrainian Book Challenge”.
The campaign, designed to be distributed on social networks, calls for the purchase of at least one book in English about Ukraine or by a Ukrainian author - at least once a year. And they add that each book purchased is a support for translators, editors and publishers who bring Ukrainian literature, history and culture to English-speaking readers. And they ask to include family, friends and colleagues in the challenge.
“Every copy sold is a vote for Ukrainian culture, because the Russian war against Ukraine is actually aimed at destroying Ukrainian culture and erasing Ukrainian identity. When readers buy at least one book, they give an increasing number of Ukrainian authors a chance to be heard: thus, publishers around the world understand that the interest in such books is constant, and can make decisions with greater peace of mind, without risking the financial stability of their publishing houses. Solid data – in particular, sales figures – is the foundation on which all publishers build plans for new editions, and participants in this campaign can very concretely contribute to laying such a foundation – book by book,” says the initiator of the campaign, HURI’s director of publishing programs, Oleg Kotsiuba.
Participants are encouraged to take a selfie or record a short video with their chosen book, post it on their social media, and challenge five friends to join the initiative using the hashtag #UkrainianBookChallenge.
“I want to encourage you to join the Ukrainian Book Challenge. The point of this challenge is to read, give as a gift, buy for yourself and recommend at least one Ukrainian book this month. One of the books I can recommend is the novel “City” by Valerian Pidmohylny. This is the first novel that I read in Ukrainian from beginning to end, back when I was studying the language. It is now available in a very good English translation by the excellent Maksym Tarnavskyi from the Harvard Ukrainian Institute Press. This is just one book – there are many others that you can choose from, but this would be a good start. I urge you to take part in this challenge”, – called historian, professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, head of the Department of Modern European History, supported by the Temerty Foundation for Ukrainian Studies, and director of the Public History Laboratory at the University of Toronto Timothy Snyder.
Yes, the website eatures dozens of recently published books about Ukraine and from Ukraine available in English. However, as the campaign initiators explain, publishing Ukrainian books in English remains a fragile endeavor: translations are expensive, the market is niche, and sales volumes are difficult to predict. Therefore, the “Ukrainian Book Challenge” aims to create visible, grassroots demand so that publishers can continue to say “yes” to proposals for books on Ukrainian topics, by Ukrainian authors, and translations from Ukrainian.
“In the long term, this initiative goes far beyond just solidarity; by buying, reading, and distributing Ukrainian books, Ukrainians in the diaspora and friends of Ukraine in the United States and beyond are helping to raise Ukrainian voices and contribute to Ukraine’s cultural survival. After all, every book only lives when someone opens and reads it—just as culture needs daily expression in concrete things to remain tangible and alive if we truly want to preserve it,” noted Anna Petelina, Chair of the Educational Reference Section of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America.
It is worth noting that the campaign was made possible thanks to the support of the HUCUS Foundation, which supported this initiative.
“The main goal of the HUCUS Foundation is to build bridges between Ukraine and the world. Spreading knowledge about Ukraine is perhaps the most effective way to do this. We believe that it is our duty to history and the future to make the world see and understand Ukraine as it really is: a strong and culturally rich country. Therefore, the “Ukrainian Book Challenge” is a timely and much-needed initiative to achieve this goal; we are honored to support it and call on everyone to join the challenge. I am already participating,” said Oleksiy Prokopenko, CEO of the HUCUS Foundation.
Anyone who cares about Ukraine and its people can join the campaign: buy at least one book in English about Ukraine or from Ukraine, share a post on social media with the hashtag #UkrainianBookChallenge, tag the publisher or the person who recommended the book – and that’s it. One book, one post, one act of solidarity.
The following recent HURI publications are currently available for purchase in English. From fiction – “Ukraine, War, Love” by Olena Styashkina (trans. Anne O. Fisher), “Mondegreen: Songs about Death and Love” by Volodymyr Rafeenko (trans. Mark Andryczyk), “Love Life” by Oksana Lutsyshyna (trans. Nina Murray) and “Cassandra” by Lesya Ukrainka (trans. Nina Murray).
In the non-fiction genre: “In Isolation” by Stanislav Aseev (trans. Lidia Wolanskyj), “Survival as Victory” by Oksana Kis (trans. Lidia Wolanskyj), “Ukraine’s Nuclear Disarmament: A History” by Yuri Kostenko (trans. Lidia Wolanskyj, Svitlana Krasynska and Olena Jennings) and “The Frontline” by Serhiy Plokhiy.
Among the poetry – “The Voices of Babyn Yar” by Marianna Kiyanovska (trans. Oksana Maksymchuk & Max Rosochinsky), “Babyn Yar: Ukrainian Poets Respond” (trans. Ostap Kin & John Hennessy), “Silence Dressed in Cyrillic Letters” by Iya Kiva (trans. Michael Naydan).
More detailed information can be obtained by following the link on the website link.
Background
Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI)
is a structural department of Harvard University that studies the history, culture, and society of Ukraine. Through research projects, publishing activities, and public programs, HURI makes the Ukrainian voice heard in global academic and cultural discussions.
The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), founded in 1925, has consistently supported and popularized Ukrainian culture for a century. Through advocacy, educational programs, and the promotion of Ukrainian literature, UNWLA helps preserve the heritage, amplify Ukrainian voices, and strengthen the future of Ukraine.
The HUCUS Foundation (Help Ukraine Center U.S.) is a nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to promoting knowledge about Ukraine and providing humanitarian assistance. In addition to large-scale support programs, the Foundation supports advocacy initiatives and artistic projects that amplify Ukraine’s voice around the world.
Photo: ukrainianbookchallenge.org
Prepared by: Inna Mikhno