Under Fire, Publishing as a Weapon: Ukraine's Book Fair Shows Cultural Resistance

（CNA reporter Chen Yanting, Kyiv, 3rd）As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fifth year, Ukraine's publishing industry continues to tell the country's story to the world through books. At the recently held Kyiv International Book Arsenal Festival, publishers specializing in works by soldier-authors and those dedicated to releasing English-language Ukrainian books are engaging in cultural resistance and grassroots diplomacy through publishing.

The four-day International Book Arsenal Festival attracted domestic and international publishers and booksellers, featuring approximately 150 booths. Festival Director Yuliia Kozlovets stated that Ukrainian culture has not stopped developing despite the ongoing war. "Everything exists simultaneously: war and peace; books and the front line; and cultural resistance."

The shadow of war was clearly visible at the book fair. In addition to booths set up by military units and related groups, there were organizations collecting book donations to send to the front lines and military hospitals. Many soldier-authors also attended in person to share their creative experiences.

Valerii Puzik, a soldier-author who has published 22 works, said that after enlisting, he shifted his creative focus to war and military life. "I understand the importance of writing about war, writing about comrades, about experiences on the front line... to record memories and people. This will become a testimony of this war."

Squirrel Publishing House, which specializes in works by soldier-authors, was founded to help more people understand the situation of soldiers on the front line. Employee Tatiana noted that when the Donbas war broke out in 2014, many people thought the war was far from them and lacked attention to the country's situation.

She stated that currently, about 90% of their publications are written by active-duty or veteran soldiers, totaling nearly 80 books. Topics include prisoner-of-war experiences, drone warfare, and the experiences of civilians in war. However, due to the prolonged war environment, some readers are unwilling to read war-related works, while others find strength and resonance in them.

Beyond documenting the war, how to introduce Ukraine to the world has become a key concern for the publishing industry.

Kovyla Publishing House, established two years ago, specializes in publishing English-language books about Ukraine. Editor-in-Chief Victoria Narizhna said Ukraine needs to more proactively build its own international narrative. "I believe it is necessary to strategically represent Ukraine abroad, to express oneself actively, rather than passively waiting for a publisher to be interested in one of our books. We need to actively select and build this narrative."

She pointed out that many countries still lack Ukrainian translators, and English editions can serve as a basis for translation into other languages, also making it easier for Ukrainians to introduce their country to friends abroad. She considers this a form of grassroots cultural diplomacy.

Narizhna noted that international readers can currently learn about Ukraine through the works of historians Serhii Plokhy or Timothy Snyder, but these works tend to be academic. Therefore, the publishing house hopes to discover more accessible works based on personal experience, allowing the outside world to understand Ukraine from different perspectives.

She acknowledged that the English-language publishing market is limited. The publishing house has only published four books and faces financial pressure, but still considers this work very important. "Filmmakers and musicians are doing important things, but books are the medium we know best. We are just using our strengths to work for Ukraine."

The Russia-Ukraine war has accelerated the de-Russification of Ukraine's publishing market. According to State Language Protection Commissioner Olena Ivanovska in March this year, in 2025, at least half of all publications from all publishers will be in Ukrainian, meeting relevant legal requirements for the first time. Since 2023, Ukraine has banned the import of publications from Russia, Belarus, and Russian-occupied territories. In 2024, the circulation of English-language books also surpassed Russian-language books for the first time.

Tatiana said that before the war, about 70% of the books she read were in Russian, but after the war broke out, she stopped reading Russian-language books. She supports the ban on importing Russian publications, believing that books are also a tool of soft power. "A book is never just a book," she said. (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150603