President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena made a visit to the 11th International Book Arsenal Festival in Kyiv on June 22. The president’s wife shared their impressions of the exhibition and posted fresh pictures on her Facebook page.
In her Facebook post, Olena Zelenskaya wrote about the significance of books in Ukrainian society. She compared books to people, stating that they are currently in the trenches, bomb shelters, and the belongings of internally displaced persons and volunteers. She emphasized that books are waiting for their owners in abandoned houses and are unfortunately being destroyed during shelling and floods. She expressed that the attacker fears both the books and the Ukrainian people. She highlighted the relevance of the festival’s name, Book Arsenal, as books have become Ukraine’s cultural weapon and arsenal.
Olena Zelenskaya also shared her personal feelings about the exhibition. She mentioned how publishing houses, which had suffered losses in capacity, circulation, and personnel a year ago, are now filling the shelves with books. She emphasized that each text, novel, story, and poem represents resistance to destruction and serves as proof that Ukrainians will remain on their land. She expressed gratitude for the unity and compassion of the Ukrainian people.
The President’s website celebrated the couple’s visit to the festival and revealed the books they purchased. The list includes titles such as “Conspiracy theories: How (not) to become a conspiracy theorist” by Maxim Yakovlev, “Positive for Yov: Chronicles of the invasion” by Alexander Mikhed, “There is land beyond Perekop” by Anastasia Levkova, and “Dune: House of Atrids. Book 1” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, among others.
The Book Arsenal Festival is an annual international book festival that was founded in 2011. It stands out from other literary festivals in Ukraine due to its innovative media formats, including public interviews, intellectual discussions, and experimental literary and musical performances. The festival takes place at the Mystetsky Arsenal, a cultural, art, and museum complex in Kyiv, which was established in 2006 on the initiative of former President Viktor Yushchenko.
The 11th International Book Arsenal Festival will continue until June 25, offering visitors a diverse range of literary and cultural experiences.
What is the significance of the Book Arsenal Festival in promoting literature and culture in Ukraine?
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena recently attended the 11th International Book Arsenal Festival in Kyiv. Olena Zelenskaya took to her Facebook page to share their impressions of the exhibition and post fresh pictures.
In her post, Olena Zelenskaya highlighted the importance of books in Ukrainian society, comparing them to people who are currently facing challenges, such as internal displacement and the destruction caused by shelling and floods. She emphasized that books are waiting to be read in abandoned houses and expressed the need to protect them from harm. She stated that both books and the Ukrainian people are feared by their attackers, underscoring the festival’s name, Book Arsenal, as an appropriate representation of the cultural weapon and arsenal that books have become in Ukraine.
Olena Zelenskaya also expressed her personal feelings about the exhibition, noting how publishing houses that had suffered losses in the past were now filling shelves with new books. She praised each text, novel, story, and poem as a form of resistance and proof of Ukraine’s determination to remain on its land. She expressed gratitude for the unity and compassion of the Ukrainian people.
The President’s website shared the couple’s book purchases from the festival, including titles such as “Conspiracy theories: How (not) to become a conspiracy theorist,” “Positive for Yov: Chronicles of the invasion,” “There is land beyond Perekop,” and “Dune: House of Atrids. Book 1,” among others.
The Book Arsenal Festival, founded in 2011, is an annual international book festival that stands out for its innovative media formats. It offers public interviews, intellectual discussions, and experimental literary and musical performances. The festival takes place at the Mystetsky Arsenal, a cultural, art, and museum complex in Kyiv that was established in 2006 under the initiative of former President Viktor Yushchenko.
The 11th International Book Arsenal Festival will continue until June 25, providing visitors with a diverse range of literary and cultural experiences.
It’s wonderful to see the President of Ukraine and the First Lady supporting the literary scene at the International Book Arsenal Festival. Their visit not only highlights the importance of literature but also encourages the growth of Ukraine’s cultural landscape.
What an exciting opportunity for the President of Ukraine and the First Lady to support the literary scene at the 11th International Book Arsenal Festival. Their presence showcases their commitment to arts and culture, encouraging a love for reading and knowledge among Ukrainians.