The collection is a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion of their country. Kruk’s poems, along with those of Iya Kiva and Ostap Slyvynsky, capture the spirit of the Ukrainian people and their fight for independence.
Kiva’s poem “Memory Dries Like Grass in Summer’s Garden” paints a vivid picture of the horrors of war, while Slyvynsky’s “Amber” and “Last Letter” capture the longing for peace and freedom. Kruk’s “Bifurcation Point” and “And Jesus Ascended at the Mount of Olives” portray the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity.
Scholars and translators have worked together to bring these powerful works to life in a variety of languages, helping to share with the world not only Ukraine’s rich textual tradition, but also what is worth fighting for: children’s futures, self determination, and freedom. As we mark the passage of a year since the full-scale invasion, let us remember these poets and their work, and continue to fight for a better future for Ukraine.
