Reading List from Ukraine’s Cabinet: Books Every Citizen Should Explore This World Book Day

World Book and Copyright Day

According to Міністерство інфраструктури: Established by UNESCO in 1995, World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated globally on April 23. To mark the occasion, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has compiled a selection of titles currently being read within the country’s Cabinet of Ministers. The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and various ministers have shared their personal recommendations, spanning topics such as economics, history, leadership, war, and science fiction.

Ukrainian Officials Share Their Top Book Picks

• Yuliia Svyrydenko recommends The Race between Education and Technology by Claudia Goldin and Lawrence Katz. She noted:

  “For Ukraine, which is fighting for its survival while aiming to build a future-ready economy, this is a crucial conversation-about the role of human capital, modern knowledge, and equal access to opportunities for all.”

• Denys Shmyhal suggests War Diaries, 1939–1945 by Astrid Lindgren, emphasizing that

  “this is an honest testimony of war that resonates with our present-day reality.”

• Tetiana Berezhna recommends The Carpathians: A Short History of Journeys by Iryna Pustynnikova, adding: 'After traveling through the Carpathians, you always want to learn more about these places. This book provides context, reveals stories, and helps you see familiar routes in a new light.'

• Taras Kachka highlights Scattered, Sown, noting that 'this publication very accurately reflects today’s reality.'

• Oleksii Kuleba recommends Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. He explains: 'Let’s be honest. Finding free time-especially time to focus on a book-is hard. So I choose to read things I can apply to work and life.'

• Mykhailo Fedorov endorses the historical work Overcoming the Past: A Global History of Ukraine by Yaroslav Hrytsak, stating: 'I strongly recommend this book to better understand the past and learn how to shape the future.'

• Matvii Bidnyi suggests the novel The Garden of Gethsemane by Ivan Bahrianyi, noting: 'For me, this is a book about the strength of the human spirit, which reads especially deeply today.'

• Oksen Lisovyi draws attention to The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, saying: 'This work gave me a broader set of arguments for rethinking educational approaches in the face of technological advancement.'

• Viktor Liashko recommends the science-fiction thriller The Colony by Maks Kidruk, which he describes as 'a page-turner.'

• Nataliia Kalmykova recommends Hemingway Knows Nothing by Artur Dron, emphasizing: 'This is an honest account from a young defender who has lived through war.'

• Denys Ulutin proposes A Divided Dynasty by Fabian Baumann, pointing to its relevance in times of historical re-evaluation.

• Oleksandr Potii highlights The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization by Peter Senge, noting its importance for organizational growth.

World Book and Copyright Day underscores the role of literature in shaping society and culture. The recommendations from Ukrainian officials show how books serve not only as sources of knowledge but also as tools for understanding modern challenges. The selected works cover a diverse range of themes, reflecting the broad interests and needs of Ukrainian society amid current realities.