Olesya Khromeychuk
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social
Historian of East-Central Europe, PhD. Author of The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister (2022), ‘Undetermined’ Ukrainians (2013). Director of Ukrainian Institute London. www.olesyakhromeychuk.com
Why read Ukrainian literature when you already have so much on your shelves? I’m asked this often. My answer is simple: when we reach only for the familiar, we leave entire cultures in the shadows, and miss different ways of understanding the world. 1/2
Friends in Edinburgh, we'll be recording The Ukraine Shelf in front of a live audience at the @edbookfest.bsky.social for the second year running. This year’s guests are Charlotte Higgins, Chief Culture Writer at The Guardian & Bohdana Laiuk, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Culture. 1/2
Three years ago, the Ukrainian edition of my book The Death of a Soldier was published by Vikhola. I was quite anxious about it: I had written the book in English and didn't know how it would resonate with Ukrainian readers who were themselves living through so much loss and grief. 1/3
The Oxford Union debate, ‘This House Would Rather Go to War with Russia than Lose Ukraine’, is now available to watch online. You can watch my contribution here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XU... And the full debate here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8u... 1/2
Our new episode of The Ukraine Shelf is out now! Give it a listen and share it with others: rss.com/podcasts/the... Translation and Dystopia with Artem Chapeye and Daisy Gibbons.
Debating a genocidal war in an evening gown was odd. Hearing familiar ru propaganda—'evil NATO', 'Nazi Ukrainians'—echo through the Oxford Union chamber was odder still. But that is the nature of these debates. We had little say over the format, but the content was up to us. 1/4
Join us for a fascinating conversation at our fundraising dinner with @edwardlucas.bsky.social. 28 May at Tatar Bunar. Only a few places left! www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrai...
A huge thank you to all who joined us for our discussion on Polish-Ukrainian relations, exploring history, contemporary challenges, and the path forward, with Andrii Portnov and Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, and held in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London. 1/2
🟨 Ukrainian Resilience Four Years On ‘I Do Not Deal With Peace, Because I Have to Deal With War’ Olesya Khromeychuk reflects on what survival really involves for those who have to live through it every day subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/84/u...
Ukrainian Resilience Four Years On – Byline Times Digital / Print Edition
This ability to stay resilient in the toughest of circumstances has played a cruel trick on Ukrainians.
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I took part in a discussion at QMUL with Dmytro Kuleba, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine, Philippe Sands KC, Björn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and by Andy Willimott, QMUL. Watch these clips to whet your appetite. Full recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_S1...
Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. Earlier this month, @ukrinstitute.bsky.social and the Royal Society of Arts co-hosted a major discussion on its legacy for European security. #Chornobyl40 #Ukraine #EuropeanSecurity 1/3
Exciting news! 🎙️ The Ukraine Shelf is back with two fantastic guests: Luke Harding and Myroslav Laiuk. Coming very soon to your favourite podcast platforms and UIL’s YouTube channel. Until then, dive back into our previous episodes! 🎧
On 24 April @mileendinstitute.bsky.social & CEREES are honoured to host former Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, to launch his wartime speeches: "Words of Defiance". With @philippesands.bsky.social @okhromeychuk.bsky.social & Bjorn Berge. Do join us! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-know-ho...
"We Know How to Win": Words of Defiance from Ukraine
Join CEREES and Mile End Institute to celebrate the publication of Words of Defiance by the former Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba
eventbrite.co.uk
We are delighted to be co-hosting this event with @qmulsse.bsky.social's Centre for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies & @bitebackpublishing.bsky.social. Do join us to launch Dmytro Kuleba's book of wartime speeches with @philippesands.bsky.social, @okhromeychuk.bsky.social & Bjorn Berge!
On 24 April @mileendinstitute.bsky.social & CEREES are honoured to host former Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, to launch his wartime speeches: "Words of Defiance". With @philippesands.bsky.social @okhromeychuk.bsky.social & Bjorn Berge. Do join us! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-know-ho...
Looking for some food for thought this weekend? Our discussion on culture as security—featuring Ukrainian and Sudanese perspectives—is now on YouTube. Take a look. Here are some highlights. 1/2
There’s definitely a ‘before’ & an ‘after’. But the ‘after’ is not necessarily about being cancer-free. You’re never fully free from the trauma, the change, even if you’re lucky enough to be free from the tumour itself. You are free to decide what to do with that experience. All options are valid.1/
Many thanks to everyone who attended last night’s event, '40 Years On: Chornobyl’s Legacy and European Environmental Security', co-organised by the @Ukr_Institute and @theRSAorg. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here: www.youtube.com/live/vrrza_z... 1/2
I'm often asked how to fight war fatigue. Over the years, I've come to understand that simply telling people to care about war zones, whether because it's the right thing to do or because it's in their own interest, doesn't work. Here are some thoughts on what might work better.
I wrote about resilience and peace, words that have become triggering for those who have to deal with war. I’m glad to see my text published in this @bylinetimes.bsky.social issue, which makes space for challenging reflections on wars around the world. subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/84/u...
I spoke at @chathamhouse.org on the question of Ukraine’s cultural identity and why its protection is key to a durable peace. You can watch the full recording here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAmk...
Get your copy of Prospect Magazine and Byline Times this weekend, and catch my pieces on Ukraine.
It was a great honour to speak at @chathamhouse.org on protecting Ukrainian identity and why it is key to a durable peace. Speaking with colleagues there, I was struck by how much the worlds of cultural diplomacy and education, and that of policymaking, need more platforms for dialogue. 1/3
I wrote a very personal Mother’s Day piece featuring my beautiful mum, old family photos, and even Lenin’s backside. open.substack.com/pub/olesyakh...
A Little White Bow
On Mother's Day
open.substack.com
Speaking at literary festivals across the UK is always a privilege, meeting new audiences and learning what resonates with them. Many thanks to Farnham Literary Festival for hosting me in conversation with Hilary Roberts. Photos by Natalia Sharomova / Farnham Town Council.
Today, as every day, we must remember those who fought to have women’s voices heard and equipped us for our own battles. Thinking about Lesia Ukrainka, I am lucky to draw on the work of Solomiia Pavlychko, Tamara Hundorova, Oksana Zabuzhko and Vira Aheieva. Full video www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RIg...
Lesia Ukraїnka and the World: Timothy Snyder and Olesya Khromeychuk in Conversation
YouTube video by IWMVienna
youtube.com
Our latest issue is out today! With excellent writing from @davidsonofaaron.bsky.social, @philtinline.bsky.social, @okhromeychuk.bsky.social, @katemaltby.bsky.social, @imaanirfan.bsky.social and so many others. Please read!
📰 Prospect’s latest issue hits newsstands today! Here’s a peek at what’s inside... 1/7 For the cover essay, @davidsonofaaron.bsky.social considers the parallels between today’s tech bros and the robber barons of yesteryear: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/united...
Got my hard copy of @prospectmagazine.co.uk with my Kyiv diary in it. You can read the piece online (link below), but if, like me--and Mikey, pictured here--you prefer the feel of a printed magazine, pick one up at your nearest newsagent. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...
It was a great honour to be the inaugural Lesia Ukrainka Senior Visiting Fellow at @iwm.at over the past three months. The fellowship enabled me to focus on my new project on Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. A picture of Lesia was on my desk, watching over me. 1/2