Why read Ukrainian literature when you already have so much on your shelves? I’m asked this often. My answer is simple: when we reach only for the familiar, we leave entire cultures in the shadows, and miss different ways of understanding the world. 1/2

Friends in Edinburgh, we'll be recording The Ukraine Shelf in front of a live audience at the @edbookfest.bsky.social for the second year running. This year’s guests are Charlotte Higgins, Chief Culture Writer at The Guardian & Bohdana Laiuk, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Culture. 1/2

Three years ago, the Ukrainian edition of my book The Death of a Soldier was published by Vikhola. I was quite anxious about it: I had written the book in English and didn't know how it would resonate with Ukrainian readers who were themselves living through so much loss and grief. 1/3

I was honoured to speak for the proposition alongside @ambdanfried.bsky.social and Francis Dearnley. Opposing the motion were Peter Hitchens, Ján Čarnogurský and Scott Horton. The student speakers were Harry Aldridge and Daniel Lawson. The proposition won.

The Oxford Union debate, ‘This House Would Rather Go to War with Russia than Lose Ukraine’, is now available to watch online. You can watch my contribution here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XU... And the full debate here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8u... 1/2

Our new episode of The Ukraine Shelf is out now! Give it a listen and share it with others: rss.com/podcasts/the... Translation and Dystopia with Artem Chapeye and Daisy Gibbons.

May this victory in what one student called an 'intellectual exercise' prove a premonition of Ukraine's victory on the battlefield. P.S. Yes, I was the only woman among the speakers. Yes, it’s the 21st century. 3/4

I'm grateful to my fellow speakers on the proposition, @ambdanfried.bsky.social and Francis Dearnley, for their powerful contributions. Needless to say, the side arguing for Ukraine won decisively. 2/4

Debating a genocidal war in an evening gown was odd. Hearing familiar ru propaganda—'evil NATO', 'Nazi Ukrainians'—echo through the Oxford Union chamber was odder still. But that is the nature of these debates. We had little say over the format, but the content was up to us. 1/4

Join us for a fascinating conversation at our fundraising dinner with @edwardlucas.bsky.social. 28 May at Tatar Bunar. Only a few places left! www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrai...

What struck me most was seeing how much desire there was to focus on discussing a vision for effective and resilient partnership in the future, while still being able to confront our difficult past. That balance is rare and precious.

A huge thank you to all who joined us for our discussion on Polish-Ukrainian relations, exploring history, contemporary challenges, and the path forward, with Andrii Portnov and Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, and held in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London. 1/2

I took part in a discussion at QMUL with Dmytro Kuleba, former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine, Philippe Sands KC, Björn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and by Andy Willimott, QMUL. Watch these clips to whet your appetite. Full recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_S1...

An upcoming debate at The Oxford Union.

Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. Earlier this month, @ukrinstitute.bsky.social and the Royal Society of Arts co-hosted a major discussion on its legacy for European security. #Chornobyl40 #Ukraine #EuropeanSecurity 1/3

Exciting news! 🎙️ The Ukraine Shelf is back with two fantastic guests: Luke Harding and Myroslav Laiuk. Coming very soon to your favourite podcast platforms and UIL’s YouTube channel. Until then, dive back into our previous episodes! 🎧

Looking for some food for thought this weekend? Our discussion on culture as security—featuring Ukrainian and Sudanese perspectives—is now on YouTube. Take a look. Here are some highlights. 1/2

There’s definitely a ‘before’ & an ‘after’. But the ‘after’ is not necessarily about being cancer-free. You’re never fully free from the trauma, the change, even if you’re lucky enough to be free from the tumour itself. You are free to decide what to do with that experience. All options are valid.1/

Many thanks to everyone who attended last night’s event, '40 Years On: Chornobyl’s Legacy and European Environmental Security', co-organised by the @Ukr_Institute and @theRSAorg. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here: www.youtube.com/live/vrrza_z... 1/2

I'm often asked how to fight war fatigue. Over the years, I've come to understand that simply telling people to care about war zones, whether because it's the right thing to do or because it's in their own interest, doesn't work. Here are some thoughts on what might work better.

I wrote about resilience and peace, words that have become triggering for those who have to deal with war. I’m glad to see my text published in this @bylinetimes.bsky.social issue, which makes space for challenging reflections on wars around the world. subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/84/u...

I spoke at @chathamhouse.org on the question of Ukraine’s cultural identity and why its protection is key to a durable peace. You can watch the full recording here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAmk...

Get your copy of Prospect Magazine and Byline Times this weekend, and catch my pieces on Ukraine.

While many of us have been working on the idea of culture as security for some time--the UIL has recently held a discussion and published an issue of the London Ukrainian Review dedicated to the topic (links below)--we need to do more for these ideas to reach those involved in peace negotiations.2/3

It was a great honour to speak at @chathamhouse.org on protecting Ukrainian identity and why it is key to a durable peace. Speaking with colleagues there, I was struck by how much the worlds of cultural diplomacy and education, and that of policymaking, need more platforms for dialogue. 1/3

Speaking at literary festivals across the UK is always a privilege, meeting new audiences and learning what resonates with them. Many thanks to Farnham Literary Festival for hosting me in conversation with Hilary Roberts. Photos by Natalia Sharomova / Farnham Town Council.

Got my hard copy of @prospectmagazine.co.uk with my Kyiv diary in it. You can read the piece online (link below), but if, like me--and Mikey, pictured here--you prefer the feel of a printed magazine, pick one up at your nearest newsagent. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe...