Ukrainian Book Abroad: Updating of Role and Tasks in the Context of Full-Scale Russian Invasion in Ukraine

Abstract

Russiaʼs large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 caused the largest wave of forced displacement of citizens from the war in the entire history of our country. Active popularization of Ukraine at Ukrainian mini-libraries, charitable organizations, and art centers in various countries of the world was the answer to increased attention abroad. Books become an important tool for building the process of public communication with institutions and citizens of other countries, they allow to convey Ukrainian ideas, messages and ideals. Because of their remoteness from Ukraine, for many war refugees, a book in their native language became a means to stay in contact with their homeland. Millions Ukrainian war refugees being outside their own country, significantly actualized the “Ukrainian bookshelf” project, initiated by the first lady of Ukraine O. Zelenska, thanks to which, as of November 2023, minilibraries have been created in 42 countries of the world, with 45,000 books. Considering that almost half of Ukrainian refugees abroad are minors, special attention is paid to the creation of childrenʼs literature collecrions. The purpose of the article is to analyze the new tasks and functions of Ukrainian book presented abroad for Ukrainian refugees and foreign citizens, to study the role of the book as a tool for cultural diplomacy. Books contribute to the education and children upbringing, help to form and preserve Ukrainian self-awareness and identity, become an instrument for psychological relief and stress overcoming while person is forced migrant. Ukrainian books perform the function of representing and advocating Ukraine in the world: they tell foreigners about Ukraine, help popularize Ukrainian history, introduce Ukrainian traditions, unmask fakes with anti-Ukrainian content, and spread pro-Ukrainian messages throughout the information space.

Keywords

• book, ukrainian refugees from the war, “ukrainian bookshelfˮ, library, ukraine.