This book is a product of personal and collective trauma, and a reflection of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. It compiles narratives, shared by Olga Khomenko's family members, friends, and former students, over the first two years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The impetus for this endeavor was an interview of the author for Japanese media in early 2022, which revealed a significant knowledge gap about Ukrainian history and culture. Driven by a deep sense of responsibility, Khomenko wrote this book to amplify the voice of Ukrainians and their experiences in this war.
"To live means to write. In order to survive, a person needs to be connected with other people. The author's way of connecting is the texts she writes. We recommend that you 'switch the channel' from fast food provided by television to read a book that embodies the vision of Ukrainians and that came directly from Ukraine."
Yoko Iwama, Professor of International Relations, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo
Yoko Iwama, Professor of International Relations, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo