For Ukraine

On Sunday, 26 June 2022, we formally kicked off our fundraising campaign, Support Ukraine's Women and Children, with our inaugural correspondences' Bookclub + Evening of Ukrainian Poetry, Philosophy and Song.

It was an honour to have the incomparable Maria Tumarkin as the first writer to talk with us about her acclaimed book Axiomatic, 2018.

Afterwards, together with Maria, we co-hosted a conversation with writer, editor and translator Svitlana Yakovenko. Originally from central Ukraine, Svitlana runs Sydney-based Sova books, a speciality publisher dedicated to bringing Ukrainian culture and history to the English-speaking world.

Maria and Svitlana talked about Son of Sava: Hryhoriy Skovoroda, the Life and Legacy of the Ukrainian Philosopher, Sova Books’ forthcoming title.

The book explores the life and legacy of one of Ukraine's most treasured poets, and philosophers, Hryhoriy Skovoroda, whose historic home in a tiny village not far from Kharkiv was recently destroyed by a Russian artillery strike, along with a museum of his work. 

We're thrilled to release our Zoom recording of the conversation today - huge thanks to Tim Hillier for so kindly contributing his time to edit for us. To listen, press the play button below at the centre of the image below.

Svitlana's passion for Skovoroda and generous spirit truly radiated via the Zoom! Thank you, Svitlana, for all that you're doing to share Ukrainian culture with us. Thank you, Maria, for leading a fascinating and important conversation.

Join a pre-order list for Son of Sava: Hryhoriy Skovoroda, the Life and Legacy of the Ukrainian Philosopher, to be released by Sova Books in August/September, here. To contribute to our campaign, which ends 31/7, press the button below.

Vienna, Austria. Emotional painting , 2020 archival print © Inna Pavlecka-Tumarkin