On May 30–31, Milan hosted the Second Ukrainian Book Festival, a large-scale international event that brought together authors, publishers, public figures, cultural diplomats, and representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora from across Europe. For two days, the historic Villa Scheibler became a vibrant space for Ukrainian literature, culture, dialogue, and international cooperation.
This year’s festival welcomed nearly thirty Ukrainian authors from Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, and other European countries, as well as almost twenty Ukrainian and Italian publishing houses. The event aimed not only to unite Ukrainians abroad but also to promote Ukrainian literature in Italy and create new opportunities for collaboration between Ukrainian authors and European publishers.
A key role in organizing the festival was played by Nadiia Bereziuk, Director of Business Woman Italy. Through her active work with the Ukrainian community and her dedication to cultural initiatives, the Ukrainian voice continues to be heard far beyond the borders of Ukraine. Nadiia was one of the leading contributors to the festival program and participated in discussions dedicated to cultural diplomacy, women’s leadership, and international communication.
Business Woman served as an official media partner of the festival and was prominently represented throughout the program. One of the highlights was the panel discussion “The Global Voice of Ukrainian Women: Leadership, Media, and Women’s Diplomacy in Times of Change,” featuring directors of the magazine’s international offices:
• Nadiia Bereziuk (Italy)
• Oksana Schoorlemmer (Germany)
• Anna Voronova (Portugal)
• Krisztina Hires (Hungary)
• Halyna Malovshek (Slovenia)
• Zhanna Zhukova (Italy, Naples)
The discussion focused on the role of women’s leadership in times of global challenges, the development of international Ukrainian communities, cultural diplomacy, and the power of media in supporting Ukraine worldwide.
A special highlight of the festival was the presentation of the “Mamyna Sorochka” project by Oksana Schoorlemmer, Director of Business Woman Germany. Guests had the opportunity to discover a unique fashion collection inspired by the poetry of her mother, Mariana Hrytsuniak, as well as the book “Mamyna Sorochka and Ukraine at War.” The presentation was complemented by an exhibition of exclusive handcrafted jewelry by Ukrainian entrepreneur Liudmyla Shanska, founder of the Zarmilkas brand, who shared her inspiring journey of bringing a Ukrainian brand to the European market.
Another important festival event was the presentation of the social project “Ukrainian Women in Italy 2026” by Zhanna Zhukova. Supported by Business Woman, the initiative demonstrates how Ukrainian women abroad not only integrate into new societies but also become powerful ambassadors of Ukraine and its culture.
The festival program also featured Anna Voronova with her practical session on confident self-presentation, Krisztina Hires presenting the poetry collection “Pixel Life” by military psychologist Kristina Yevtushenko, and Halyna Malovshek introducing the literary works of renowned Ukrainian author Oleksandra Kara.
A separate highlight was the presentation of the international Book World Records project, which showcases outstanding achievements from around the world and currently operates in more than 35 countries.
Special recognition goes to Iryna Luts, founder of the festival and President of the association Ucraina Più Milano. Her dedication to promoting Ukrainian culture in Italy and building meaningful cultural bridges has made this important initiative possible. For Business Woman, Iryna is not only the founder of the festival but also a trusted partner. Since our first meeting during the inaugural festival, she has consistently supported the magazine’s initiatives and actively contributed to joint international projects aimed at strengthening the global Ukrainian women’s community.
The Second Ukrainian Book Festival once again demonstrated that Ukrainian culture has a powerful voice on the international stage, while Ukrainian women continue to serve as its strong ambassadors, creating new partnerships, inspiring communities, and opening opportunities for future generations.
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Photo: event organisers