War and books
After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, about 6 million Ukrainians left for Europe. 400 thousand of them are schoolchildren studying online. More than 10 thousand little Ukrainians have already been born abroad. Each country that our fellow citizens have found encourages them to integrate into the local society in one way or another. But how not to lose your identity in this whirlpool of requirements and adaptations?
Ukrainians have learned from their own example that when the lights are turned off, when there is no Internet, a book becomes a source of entertainment and, no less importantly, an escape from reality. It is the book that allows us to maintain the level of the Ukrainian language. To feel closer to our native home, no matter how far away we are.
The war had a strong impact on readers' preferences. At first, people rushed to the classics ( Erich Maria Remarque ), which depicted events very similar to modern times. Gradually, interest in historical literature grew ( Sergei Plokhiy , Danilo Yanevsky, Yaroslav Hrytsak). Then the reader got tired and wanted to switch his mind to fiction. Romantic fantasy, science fiction, detective stories became especially popular. Interest in Ukrainian classics grew. Finally, Ukrainian writers found themselves at the top of sales in Ukraine. Among the especially popular ones, it should be noted Serhiy Zhadan , Ilarion Pavlyuk , Yevheniya Kuznetsova .
But books would not exist without those who publish them. And these are real heroes. For example, the VIVAT bookstore chain is known for never closing, despite all the shelling and anxiety. The Ukrainian Bookstore in Riga closely cooperates with this publishing house. Their editions of Ukrainian classics in excellent design ( The Manipulative Woman by I. Franko , The Witch of Konotop by G. Kvitka-Osnovyanenko), the latest world bestsellers ( The Handmaid , The Bridgertons , Stay If You Love Me), incredibly beautiful editions of teenage literature ( The Night Circus , The Cruel Prince , The Six of Crows ) have become especially popular on the European market. Special attention deserves children's publications that have become favorites among young readers ( "Squirrel's Birthday" , the "Isadora Moon" series, "How to Train Your Dragon").
You can buy books in Europe in Ukrainian with free delivery on our website. If you can't find a book, write to us on Instagram and we will be happy to bring it to you. Glory to Ukraine! Let's read in Ukrainian!