Ukrainian Audiobook About Wartime Phone Calls Wins Top Prize in Czech Competition with 124 Entries

“Hovory” by Victoria Kralko

According to Главком: An audiobook created by Ukrainian artist Victoria Kralko, titled “Hovory” (the Czech word for “calls”), has been named the winner of a prestigious competition in the Czech Republic, beating out 123 other nominees. The work compiles recordings of telephone conversations between Ukrainians during the early months of the full-scale war. Kralko, who is of Ukrainian descent and studies film and television at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, produced the piece using sound art techniques.

Czech actors voiced the dialogues featured in the audiobook. One recording captures a conversation between a woman and a defender of the Azovstal steel plant, whom Kralko met in Prague at a rally supporting prisoners of war. She also revealed that one of the audiobook’s protagonists is her godmother, highlighting the author’s deep personal connection to the subject matter.

Jury Recognition

The competition jury praised “Hovory” for delivering unvarnished human stories in a striking auditory format. They noted that the contemporary language, combined with vivid and precise vocal performances, allows the power of human emotion to shine through.

“The phone calls, the silences, and the long pauses all carry meaning here. The narrator’s voice weaves together the individual stories, placing them in context and broadening the significance of the messages and conversations. This is a document with profound testimonial force.”

Competition Jury

It is also worth noting that Victoria Kralko was born in the Czech Republic, but her entire paternal family resides in Ukraine. Her cousins are currently defending Ukraine, supporting the country during these difficult times. Meanwhile, in the realm of Ukrainian creative expression, eight-year-old Yaroslav Antontsev became a finalist in UNICEF’s All-Ukrainian competition “Poetry for Peace.” His poem was included in a UNICEF anthology, and his father has been serving on the front lines since 2022.

This Czech competition underscores the importance of creativity amid crisis and war, as works that illuminate personal stories and emotions can draw attention to the social challenges faced by the Ukrainian people. The success of Victoria Kralko and other Ukrainian creators demonstrates that culture can play a significant role in preserving memory and highlighting human resilience in difficult times.