13. International Hard or Feature News
A Ukrainian library to which Ed Vulliamy donated works by his late mother, the author Shirley Hughes, is trying to rebuild itself
for children was once a vibrant place with an extensive collection of books. The library located in Kherson, Ukraine was founded in 1924 and would have celebrated it's 100 year anniversary next year.
“It seems we should be used to it,” she sighs. “The city is under attack every day. We have already repaired the windows after another shrapnel hit" Library director Olha Kryzhanivska says.
This a very emotional blow to many people who have spent many of their years in this space. The library is described as very beautiful with colorful stained glass windows. But is now been reduced to dust and broken glass
The most interesting thing about this, and the reason I chose this story is that by some miracle, books that were donated to the library by the son and daughter of Author and Illustrator Shirley Hughes survived the attack.
“In spring 2023, we were delighted to replenish the children’s libraries of Ukraine with magical books by the author and illustrator Shirley Hughes. A miracle, because Ukrainian children have never read such a kind and wonderful storyteller. Books we passed to the Kherson library have been preserved – it’s as though God and Shirley Hughes’s ghost rescued them from the afterlife.”
This can be a sign that there is hope, especially for the youth of Ukraine. A new term has been coined due to many Russian attacks on the culture and libraries of Ukraine, the term is Librocide.
As part of restoration efforts a campaign called Unbreakable Ukrainian Libraries has so far delivered 13,000 books to damaged libraries.
Ukrainians are strong and resilient and will restore the building and spirit of their communities.
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