Kenya has opened East Africa's first Ukrainian book display
The official opening of the first "Ukrainian Bookshelf" in the East African region took place at the National Library in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Kenya announced this on Facebook.
The event was accompanied by the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the main libraries of both countries.
The global initiative is being implemented under the patronage of Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska and currently unites 390 “Ukrainian Bookshelves” in 72 countries around the world.
The ceremony in Nairobi brought together representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps, Kenyan cultural and educational institutions, the leadership of the National Library of Kenya, and members of the local Ukrainian community.
This event marked an important step toward strengthening our country’s international standing.
During the event, a message from Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska was presented, in which she emphasized the importance of books as a tool for mutual understanding between nations and for countering disinformation, stereotypes, and manipulation.
The event organizers emphasized that cultural diplomacy helps build reliable bridges between countries, even across great distances.
In his remarks, Yuriy Tokar, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, noted that in recent years the world has come to know Ukraine through the resilience of the Ukrainian people, which is deeply rooted in Ukrainian history, culture, language, and identity.
In this context, the “Ukrainian Bookshelf” initiative helps people discover Ukraine not only through news headlines but also through literature, culture, and human experience.
The diplomat expressed hope for the further expansion of humanitarian projects in the region.
The legal basis for deepening bilateral ties was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Library of Kenya and the V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine.
The document opens up new opportunities for professional, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation. This decision will allow librarians from both countries to effectively exchange experiences and implement joint research programs.
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