On May 14, the Scientific Library of the State Tax University hosted a presentation of the book by Serhiy Martynyuk, «Callsign 'Writer', or How the People of Irpin Repelled the Ruscists».
Serhiy Martynyuk is a Ukrainian prose writer, essayist, poet, journalist, local historian, public and political figure, a serviceman of the Irpin Territorial Defense Forces, and a member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, and the National Union of Local Historians of Ukraine.
Serhiy was in Irpin when the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022. That very day, he volunteered to join the Territorial Defense Forces with his own hunting weapon and received the callsign «Writer».
His book «Callsign 'Writer', or How the People of Irpin Repelled the Ruscists» consists of real war diaries written in the trenches, on the edge of life and death, during the days when Ukrainians defended Irpin – a city that became a symbol of resilience and heroism. The book captures the chronicle and the spirit of resistance: how the defense of Irpin was formed and who those heroes were who changed the course of the war, not only in the Kyiv region but overall. Within the pages of this edition, the author has gathered testimonies of the fortitude of Irpin volunteers who stood as a shield in the enemy's path.
Serhiy Martynyuk emphasized: «We all perfectly understood that if Irpin fell, Kyiv would fall too. That's why we stood to the death».
The materials created by Serhiy Martynyuk during the battles for Irpin were included in the documentary film Callsign «Writer», the teaser of which was screened during the event.
During the presentation, songs were performed by Oleksandr Redych, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer and Information Technologies and Systems at the State Tax University, a bard, and a singer-songwriter. One of them, «I Am a Ukrainian», was set to the poems of Serhiy Martynyuk from his author's collection «13 Poems, or How the Battle for Irpin Changed the World». Oleksandr Redych also presented his original song «Irpin Blues», which was written before the war but updated with adjustments brought by the experiences of recent years.
All attendees had the opportunity to talk with the author in person, sharing their stories of living through the occupation and their survival stories from February-March 2022.
The loved ones, relatives, and acquaintances of those present, who are defending us from the enemy right now by risking their lives, were also remembered.
Serhiy Martynyuk introduced Angelina, a young poet, who read a poem she wrote during an air raid alert, which became a chronology of her family on that unforgettable day of February 24, 2022.
Library staff member Tetiana Kolomiiets, whose son serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, read a poem by an ordinary woman named Tamara, who survived the occupation of Irpin and discovered a talent for describing it in poetic lines. Her poem concludes with these words:
«We won't let anyone forget our Irpin! We will quickly rebuild it, And our dear hometown will once again Become even more beautiful than before! And happy people will live here, And children's laughter will ring out once more. No enemy force will defeat us, For our success lies in our unity!»
Coming from back in 2022, these words sounded like a prophecy.
Serhiy Martynyuk donated several copies of his books with personal autographs to the university library.
Visitors could also explore other books by the author at the thematic exhibition titled "I Have the Honor of Being a Ukrainian. Serhiy Martynyuk".
This event was a true testament to the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian spirit.
Watch the video of the event via the link below: A Meeting with a Living Book. I Have the Honor of Being a Ukrainian. Serhiy Martynyuk.
Sincere thanks to the author and everyone who joined this event! Together to Victory!
