Vladyslav Holovin’s Letter to His Son Featured in UK’s International Collection Letters to Our Sons

Vladyslav Holovin’s Letter to His Son

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: The letter written by Ukrainian journalist and soldier Vladyslav Holovin to his son has been included in the global anthology Letters to Our Sons, compiled by British actor Stephen Graham and psychology lecturer Orly Klein. This collection, featuring over 1,600 letters from parents worldwide, was published in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2026, by Bloomsbury. A Ukrainian edition of the book is scheduled for release in 2027.

Vladyslav Holovin’s Background

Since 1995, Holovin has been active in Ukrainian media, serving as editor and deputy editor-in-chief at Forbes Ukraine and collaborating with international agencies including AFP, Reuters, and Le Monde. Currently, he is enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2025, he authored Armed People of Ukraine, a book honoring Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers. Over two and a half years, Holovin risked his life traveling to the frontlines, assisting foreign journalists with reports, producing his own stories, and writing his book.

In his letter, Holovin opens up about the war, the pain of separation from his son, and reflects on his own shortcomings as a father. He urges his son to learn from these mistakes, sharing his innermost feelings and thoughts. As Holovin explains,

“Writing this letter was as much for me as for my son. Trying to explain to your child what you believe in and what you want to pass on forces you to confront difficult questions yourself.”

He also reveals the emotional toll of their separation:

“The hardest part of these years apart isn’t the rockets, shelling, or power outages. It’s coming home after work, opening the door, and not hearing ‘Dad’s home!’”

These words capture the depth of his longing and the emotional weight of being away from his child.

Holovin shares why he chose to stay in Ukraine despite having the opportunity to leave:

“Yes, I had a chance to leave Ukraine, but I would have lost my self-respect if I had. It’s simple-our country is under attack.”

He believes his role is to bear witness to the truth about the war, confident that honesty is key to ending the conflict.

Expressing hopes for his son’s future, Holovin says,

“I wish you wouldn’t repeat my mistakes with your children. Spend more time playing with them while they’re little. Be present.”

He adds, “My greatest joy as a father is seeing my children grow up to be better and stronger than I am.”

Holovin’s letter has become part of a significant international initiative that brings together parents from around the world, allowing them to share their experiences and emotions amid today’s challenges.

This project not only fosters dialogue about parenthood but also highlights the vital emotional bonds maintained through hardship. Letters like Holovin’s bear witness to how war affects family relationships and parental self-awareness. They offer support and inspiration to parents facing similar struggles and emphasize the universal nature of parental love and concern across cultures.