Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna shared which books she bought at the Book Arsenal
Ukrainian Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna attended the opening of the 14th Book Arsenal for the first time in her capacity as head of the ministry and shared her impressions of the event, as well as a list of books she selected for herself and her daughter.
On her Facebook page, Berezhna called the Book Arsenal one of her favorite events in Kyiv and emphasized the importance of Ukrainian book culture during the war.
“Arsenals were once created to store weapons. But now, the Ukrainian Book Arsenal preserves what makes us a nation—our book culture, language, memory, and Ukrainian voice,” the minister noted.
She emphasized that cultural events are taking on special significance now, as Russia is deliberately targeting Ukrainian museums, libraries, theaters, universities, printing houses, and artists.
This year, Tetiana Berezhna paid special attention to children’s literature for her daughter Osaka, who is only five months old.
According to the minister, the little girl already has her favorite books and loves it when people read to her aloud. That is why Berezhna decided to compile a list of recommendations for quality children’s literature during the festival.
Among the books purchased for her daughter:
- “The Little Cucumber Who Wore 100 Shirts” from the “A-ba-ba-ga-la-ma-ga” publishing house—a book that introduces children to vegetables and helps them learn colors;
- “Forget Your Fears—Believe in Yourself!” by authors Ana Serna and Enar Inigo—a therapeutic illustrated story about Olivia the Frog that teaches children to overcome fears, shyness, and self-doubt.
In addition to children’s literature, the minister also purchased several books by contemporary Ukrainian authors:
- “How to Breathe Freely? A Guide to Decolonization” by Mariam Nayeem;
- “Where the Sun Sets” by Olena Pshenychna;
- “My Name Is Dusya” by Yelyzaveta Burshtyn.
The focus theme of this year’s Book Arsenal was “Carry Your Freedom.” It was curated by journalist, human rights activist, military officer, and former prisoner of war Maksym Butkevych.
The festival also saw the return of the Writer’s Program, curated by Ukrainian soldier, volunteer, poet, and translator Andriy Lyubka.
