Emphasizing the valor and heroism of our soldiers

The Museum of Books and Book Printing of Ukraine, which became the organizer of the festival, was turned into a fairy tale setting for the duration. It allowed every child to play the part of sorcerer and find an interesting way to spend their leisure time painting, reading, creating bookmarks, as well as manufacturing various figurines of chocolate, acting, and meeting their favorite writers.

One of the priorities of the festival is to popularize Ukrainian children’s book, for which the organizers invite the best writers, artists, and publishers. “Ukrainian children’s book is now represented at a high level,” the festival’s initiator, director of the Museum of Books and Book Printing of Ukraine Valentyna Bochkovska said. “Kids love, for instance, books by Oleksandr Havrosh, Oleksandr Dermansky, Ivan Malkovych, Volodymyr Rutkivsky, and Anatolii Kachan. We have something to say and show.”

According to Bochkovska, this year’s festival celebrated valor and heroism of Ukrainian soldiers. For example, every visitor could take part in the event “Your Book for Your Peers in Eastern Ukraine.” People were happy to bring books from home and buy new ones that will be donated soon to school libraries of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The museum also hosted a fundraiser for the wounded soldiers now being treated at the Kyiv hospital and needing help. In addition, all concerned were able to sign postcards from Magicians and Angels for soldiers fighting in the eastern regions.

“Today, more than ever, we need to fill the world of children with something good and bright, because some of them have very quickly matured and know what the war is, and some again lost their fathers and belief in miracles,” Honored Artist of Ukraine Taras Kompanichenko stressed. “We need to instill patriotism with our books, and make our culture to fill the hearts of our children, for it is we who have to restore the fairy tale world in which they lived just yesterday.”

The wonderful world of fairy tales came to life in front of the children during the art book exhibition. The texts were printed on soft toys, paper castles and even clothing. “Daddy, Daddy, do you see that book!” exclaimed a blonde girl on seeing a demonstration of the readable dress. A pop-up art-book drew attention as well, as its pages showed in full glory Kyiv’s architectural heritage from the Ancient Rus’ style to Modernism. Both adults and kids were captivated by Jerzy Dworski’s puppet show The Jumper Princess and solo play The Little Prince of Volodymyr Zavalniuk’s Transformation Theater. The final note of the festival was offered by Volodymyr Sosiura’s poem “Love Ukraine,” performed by Marian Pyrih in his inimitable manner, which sounded like a hymn for all Ukrainians standing in support of a united Ukraine.