Ukrainian Books in Brussels: Highlights from One of Europe's Major Book Fairs

In a significant cultural event, Ukraine made its second appearance at the annual French-speaking book fair 'Foire du Livre de Bruxelles' at the end of March 2023. According to the Ukrainian Book Institute, this event has become an essential platform for presenting Ukrainian books, translations, and literary initiatives to a broader audience.

Oлена Одинока, the Deputy Director of the Ukrainian Book Institute for International Cooperation, emphasized that 'the Brussels Book Fair is one of the important spaces for collaboration and dialogue, where the Ukrainian voice resonates more closely and clearly with the European audience.' This year, Ukraine joined the fair as part of a collective stand organized by the Network of European Cultural Institutes 'EUNIC.'

As part of the fair, an event for Ukrainian children and their parents was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine in Belgium, the European Publishers Federation, 'EUNIC,' and the Association of Ukrainian Women in Belgium. The program included readings from stories by Ukrainian female writers, featuring the participation of Ukraine's Ambassador to Belgium, Ярослав Мельник. This event served as a vital element of cultural diplomacy, allowing children and their families to become more familiar with Ukrainian literature.

Following the event, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture, and Sports, Гленн Мікаллеф, presented children with books, including 'The Eh-Eh-Adventures of Excavator Eka' by Вікторія Амеліна. In return, the Ukrainian delegation gifted the commissioner a book titled 'De-occupied' by Богдан Логвиненко, highlighting the significance of Ukrainian literature on the international stage.

Separately, on March 27, a public discussion titled 'Traduire le présent, défier le futur' ('Translating the Present, Challenging the Future') took place at the 'Place à l’Europe' venue. This discussion featured Ukrainian writer and veteran Павло Матюша and Georgian journalist and writer Тея Топурія. The conversation was moderated by Микита Москалюк, the curator of programs and international projects for the Literary Platform 'Фронтера.'

Павло Матюша stated, 'It is crucial that Ukraine is present at international book events and speaks about our war to local audiences.' He underscored the importance of participating in such events not only for showcasing Ukrainian culture but also for ensuring that Ukrainian books have the opportunity to appear on the shelves of European bookstores.

'Today, it is necessary to develop this direction, support translators, and help Ukrainian authors reach the shelves of European cities,' he stressed, pointing to the need for intensified efforts in this area.

The fair featured French translations of works by various Ukrainian authors, including Вікторія Амеліна, Максим Кривцов, Павло Матюша, Артур Дронь, Артем Чапай, Сергій Жадан, Сергій Плохій, Марія Матіос, Юрій Андрухович, and Тарас Шевченко. Микита Москалюк noted that 'participation in the Brussels Book Fair highlighted how much work we still have to do.' He observed that at some stands, books by Ukrainian authors still stood alongside publications from the aggressor country, but Ukraine is increasingly being seen and heard in the European cultural space.

In addition to public events, representatives of the Literary Platform 'Фронтера' held meetings with European publishers to discuss the translation of Ukrainian literature and participation in the grant program 'Translate Ukraine.' The co-organizers of Ukraine's participation in the fair included 'EUNIC,' the European Union Literary Prize, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Belgium, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Book Institute, the Polish Institute in Brussels, the Literary Platform 'Фронтера,' and the 'Algorithm of Actions' platform.