Participate in Selecting the Most Influential Ukrainian Book via the 'Diia' App
The 'Diia' app has launched a public vote to determine the standout book published between 2022 and 2026, a period marked by profound cultural shifts in Ukraine. Anyone can join by selecting from 15 titles that explore themes central to Ukrainian identity, memory, war, occupation, and history. Voting will remain open until noon on October 6, with the winner receiving the "Readers' Choice Award" announced on October 22.
Books in the Running
Cultural experts curated the shortlist from an extensive project compilation. The nominated works include:
- "Colony" by Max Kidruk
- "Dancing with Bones" by Andriy Sem’yankiv
- "Beyond Perekop: A Crimean Novel" by Anastasiia Levkova
- "Poems from the Firing Slit" by Maksym “Dali” Kryvtsov
- "Rebellion Against the Empire: Ukrainian Sixtiers" by Radomyr Mokryk
- "Call Sign for Yov: Chronicles of the Invasion" by Oleksandr Mykhed
- "Language as a Sword: How the Soviet Empire Spoke" by Yevheniia Kuznetsova
- "A Person at the Crossroads: Reflections on Existential Intelligence" by Ihor Kozlovskyi
- "I Am Transforming… Diary of Occupation: Selected Poems" by Volodymyr Vakulenko
- "Testimonies" by Viktoriia Amelina
- "How to Read Ukrainian Classics" by Rostyslav Semkiv
- "Hemingway Knows Nothing" by Artur Dron
- "The List" by Myroslav Laiuk
- "Playing Dress-Up" by Artem Chekh
- "Leticia Kurylo and All Her Imaginary Lovers She Lied to About Her Father" by Vira Kuryko
This initiative is part of the project "Landmark Publications of Independence: 35 Books We Choose Together," organized by the Ukrainian Book Institute and Megogo Books. A Megogo Books spokesperson emphasized:
“We selected 15 books first published from 2022 to 2026, after the full-scale invasion began, to highlight how cultural priorities and the role of literature in shaping national identity, memory, and wartime experience have evolved during this time.”
Voting is straightforward: open the 'Diia' app, navigate to Services — Surveys, pick one of the 15 authors, and press 'Vote.' Beyond this, Ukrainian and world literature textbooks for eighth-grade students now include information about the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Notably, soldiers from this brigade served as models for a contemporary reinterpretation of the painting "Zaporozhian Cossacks Write a Letter to the Turkish Sultan" in 2023.
By engaging the public in this literary vote, the 'Diia' app not only promotes Ukrainian literature but also underscores essential aspects of national identity amid ongoing challenges. This effort aims to foster community dialogue around vital cultural topics and contribute to a shared literary discourse during a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s history.
As the cultural landscape of Ukraine evolves, it's essential to recognize the significant contributions of various literary works, much like the recent inclusion of the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade in educational materials. This highlights the intersection of literature and national identity, underscoring the importance of engaging with contemporary narratives. For more insights on how modern Ukrainian literature is shaping educational content, see our coverage on the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade's debut in textbooks.