On April 15, the Scientific Library of the State Tax University hosted a deeply moving event – the presentation of two books by writer Olga Stepanivna Vorobiova: «Unconquered Irpin» and «Voices of Memory. Bucha – Hero City», published by «ADEF-Ukraine». These works celebrate the strength, resilience, and unbreakable memory of Ukrainian communities.
Olga Vorobiova's books serve as emotional testimonies to the courage of cities that became symbols of resistance during the first months of the full-scale war. This is more than a chronicle of events; it is a living tribute to those who defended the country and stood up for the right to life and freedom.
- «Unconquered Irpin» is a «witness book» containing 25 stories that move readers to tears and inspire faith in the power of the Ukrainian spirit. The cover art – a Banksy graffiti captured in Irpin in May 2022 – stands as another symbol of the resilience and hope that permeates this edition.
- «Voices of Memory. Bucha – Hero City» is a «requiem book» featuring 20 real-life stories from residents of the Bucha district, documenting Russian occupation, tragedies, and endurance.
Both collections are based on eyewitness accounts and testimonies from the families of the fallen, serving as documentary evidence of war crimes committed by the occupiers.
The event opened with a minute of silence for the victims, followed by the song «Minute of Silence» with lyrics by O. Vorobiova.
The meeting was moderated by Konstiantyn Kukushkin, coordinator of the «Living Stories of War» project and representative of the Swiss NGO «International Projects». As a public figure, he was instrumental in bringing these books to publication.
During the meeting, residents of Irpin and Bucha shared their stories – vital testimonies of those who escaped, waited, defended, lost, and survived. Among the attendees was Mariia Lee, mother of stage and film actor Pasha Lee, who volunteered and tragically died in Irpin on March 6, 2022. Speakers also included Irpin Territorial Defense members Serhii Paranytsia and Serhii Martyniuk, who shared their personal experiences, adding weight and truth to the narrative.
A particularly touching moment was the speech by lecturer Halyna Chyhryna, who recalled how students, faculty, and residents of Irpin stood firm during the occupation. Her story served as a vivid testimony to the courage and unity of the community.
The atmosphere was further enriched by songs based on Olga Stepanivna’s poems, providing a profound emotional layer to the discussion. The library also presented an exhibition titled «Unconquered Irpin in Books and Destinies», featuring a collection of publications about the Russo-Ukrainian war.
During the event, the author donated copies of «Voices of Memory» and «Unconquered Irpin» to the library. These documented accounts of the tragedy and resilience of the Ukrainian people – covering genocide, the murder of civilians, and specific painful stories – ensure that the truth will never be forgotten. We invite you to explore these editions in the reading room of the STU Scientific Library!
The meeting was attended by students, staff, and faculty of the University and the Irpin Professional College of Economics and Law.
The event was organized by Svitlana Tsymbaliuk, Director of the STU Scientific Library, and Halyna Pavlenko, Head of the Academic Literature Service Department.
These books are not merely documents of their time. They are the voices of those who survived and are speaking out. It is our duty to listen and remember. Such publications shape our national memory and preserve truthful testimonies for future generations to know the history and resilience of our community.
As long as we remember – we are unbreakable!
We invite you to watch the video report of the event at the following link: Creative meeting with writer O.S. Vorobiova
