At 96, Lina Kostenko Releases New Collection 'Wind from Mars': What We Know So Far

A Landmark Work from Lina Kostenko

According to Главком: Celebrated Ukrainian writer Lina Kostenko marked her 96th birthday on March 19, 2026, with the release of a new poetry collection titled 'Wind from Mars,' published by Ababahalamaha. The book features previously unpublished poems, a section called 'Briefly – Like a Diagnosis,' and selected verses from her war cycle that had already appeared in print. Several poems are dated February 2026, including one named 'February 24,' written on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Birthday Celebration Highlights

Kostenko's birthday gathering drew a crowd of close friends and notable figures, including:

• Yevgen Nyshchuk
• Svyatoslav Vakarchuk
• Ada Rogovtseva
• Serhiy Zhadan
• Larysa Ivshyna
• Ivan Malkovych
• and others

The poet warmly welcomed guests at home alongside her daughter, Oksana Pakhlyovska. Journalist Vitaliy Portnikov, who came to offer his congratulations, moved those present with his toast:

“You are not just a person-you are a book.” – Vitaliy Portnikov

The book's annotation describes it as follows: “In this collection, tragic prophecies and piercing tenderness meet in a unique emotional synthesis, alongside ruthless aphoristic scans of political realities and nostalgic dimensions of human existence. The current war is seen not only as a criminal act of historical barbarism but as a global threat to the planet. 'Wind from Mars' is a unique map of Ukraine within the poet’s soul-a Ukraine that is pained, yet unbroken and free, with spiritual borders that transcend time.”

Kostenko's birthday celebration became a landmark event, marked not only by warm wishes but also by the poet's latest creative achievements. Ukrainian restaurateur Maria Didkovska shared photos and videos from the gathering, capturing key moments of this special day.

The release of Lina Kostenko's new book stands as a significant cultural milestone for Ukraine, especially amid the ongoing challenges the country faces. Poems written during wartime reflect the poet's deep emotions and reflections on Ukraine’s fate, its people, and national identity. This collection, the fruit of Kostenko's decades-long literary career, continues the tradition of Ukrainian poetry, urging readers to contemplate human existence and identity in times of war.