Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, will speak by video at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 20, at 12:30 p.m. The global publishing community has shown support for the Ukrainian book trade, banning Russia from participation in a majority of events around the world.
Ukraine will have a collective stand at Frankfurt in Hall 4.0, stand B114, and will offer a series of presentations under the motto, “Perseverance in Persistence.” More than 100 Ukrainian publishing professionals, authors, and others are expected to participate. The program is curated by the Ukrainian Book Institute in close collaboration with the Goethe-Institut of Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Zelensky opened the Lviv Book Forum, which was hosted virtually by the U.K.’s Hay Festival, with an appreciation of the support the international community has extended to Ukraine.
He said: “For more than half a year, the world has witnessed how Russian aggression has been destroying our territories, Ukrainian culture, language, and books as a symbol of the freedom and indomitability of our people. Today, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine are courageously defending their native country from the enemy invasion, it is vitally important for us to preserve our national culture and identity.
“That is why, on all platforms, we bring the truth to the world about what is happening now in Ukraine, about the Russians’ arbitrary actions and crimes against humanity.
“I would like to thank our international friends and partners for standing with us in this war. Now you have become ambassadors of Ukraine in the struggle for freedom and the democratic values of the whole of Europe. I am sure that together we will win.”
