In Rio de Janeiro, an event took place that marked an important step in the development of Ukrainian-Brazilian cultural and academic relations. In the library of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) — one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America — the Ukrainian Book Bookshelf was solemnly opened, which will now become a permanent part of the educational institution’s library collection.
The initiative was implemented with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Federative Republic of Brazil and became part of the international project “Ukrainian Book Bookshelf,” launched by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Book Institute.
The project is already being successfully implemented in dozens of countries around the world and is considered one of the most successful examples of modern Ukrainian cultural diplomacy. Its goal is to make Ukrainian literature accessible to an international audience, popularize Ukrainian history and culture, as well as create new platforms for intercultural dialogue.
In the modern world, culture is increasingly becoming the language of international understanding. It is books that allow people from different countries to discover new cultures, learn about historical events, traditions, and contemporary social processes.
The Ukrainian Book Bookshelf is not just a library collection. It is a symbolic bridge between countries that promotes the development of humanitarian cooperation, academic exchanges, and mutual understanding between nations.
The first contribution to the collection consisted of nine publications on Ukrainian topics, donated by the Embassy of Ukraine in Brazil. Each book represents a distinct aspect of Ukrainian history, culture, traditions, and modernity.
Books That Open Ukraine to the Brazilian Reader
- “História da Ucrânia” (“History of Ukraine”) by Orest Subtelny — one of the most authoritative works on Ukrainian history, covering the path of the Ukrainian people from ancient times to the present.
- “Pêssanka: A arte ucraniana de decorar ovos” (“Pysanka: The Ukrainian Art of Decorating Eggs”) by Eduardo Sganzerla — a publication dedicated to the Ukrainian pysanka, one of the most famous symbols of Ukraine’s national culture and spiritual heritage.
- “Holodomor: Ucrânia 1932 – 1933. Genocídio pela fome” — a book highlighting the tragic events of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 and its consequences for the Ukrainian people.
- “Poemas da Seteira” (“Poems from the Loophole”) by Maksym Kryvtsov — a poetry collection by the Ukrainian writer and soldier whose works became the voice of a generation of Ukrainians defending their state.
- “Ucrânia: Diário de uma guerra” (“Ukraine: Diary of a War”) by Andrey Kurkov — one of the most famous contemporary Ukrainian writers, whose books have been translated into dozens of languages.
- “Holodomor 1932–1933: Genocídio do Povo Ucraniano” by Volodymyr Sergiychuk — a thorough scientific study dedicated to the recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people.
- “Ao vivo da Ucrânia: Os bastidores cruéis da guerra vistos por um jornalista brasileiro” (“Live from Ukraine: The Cruel Reality of War Seen by a Brazilian Journalist”) by João Alencar — testimonies and reports about the war in Ukraine, seen through the eyes of a Brazilian journalist.
- “Lá, onde há vento” (“There, Where the Wind Is”) by Max Tarnawsky — a literary work that introduces readers to contemporary Ukrainian literature and the worldview of Ukrainians.
- “Chernobyl em Guerra: A luta dos ucranianos para evitar um novo desastre nuclear” (“Chernobyl at War: The Ukrainians’ Struggle to Prevent a New Nuclear Disaster”) by Serhii Plokhy — a Harvard University professor and one of the most famous researchers of Ukrainian history. The book highlights the dramatic events surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, as well as global nuclear security issues and Ukraine’s role in preventing new disasters.
Thanks to the fact that a significant portion of the publications is available in Portuguese, Brazilian students, professors, and researchers can engage with Ukrainian topics without language barriers.
PUC-Rio: One of the Best Universities in Latin America
Special significance is lent to the event by the fact that the Ukrainian Book Bookshelf opened specifically at PUC-Rio. Founded in 1940, the university is among the top higher education institutions in Brazil and Latin America.
PUC-Rio is known for its high level of education, international programs, active research activities, and extensive cooperation with universities worldwide. Its library is one of the leading academic hubs in Rio de Janeiro, serving thousands of students and researchers every year.
The appearance of Ukrainian literature in the collections of such a prestigious university opens up new opportunities for studying Ukrainian history, international relations, culture, politics, and contemporary processes in Eastern Europe.
The opening of the Ukrainian Book Bookshelf carries not only cultural but also major academic significance. The presence of Ukrainian publications in the PUC-Rio library will foster the development of joint scientific research, international conferences, educational programs, and academic exchanges between Ukraine and Brazil.
For students, this is an opportunity to work with high-quality sources and research about Ukraine. For professors and researchers, it is a new resource for multidisciplinary projects and international cooperation.
For the Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil, the opening of the bookshelf has become an important symbol of support for Ukrainian culture and the preservation of national identity abroad.
Brazil is home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Latin America. This is why such initiatives are of special importance for strengthening the bonds between Ukrainians abroad and their historical homeland.
Today, when the world is in particular need of dialogue, trust, and the open exchange of knowledge, universities are becoming spaces where new partnerships and international ties are born. Books remain one of the most effective tools of cultural diplomacy, capable of overcoming borders, breaking stereotypes, and building mutual understanding between nations.
The opening of the Ukrainian Book Bookshelf at PUC-Rio is another confirmation that Ukrainian culture is increasingly integrated into the global academic and humanitarian space. Through literature, nations get to know each other better, discover shared values, and establish a foundation for future cooperation.
Ukraine and Brazil continue to strengthen humanitarian, cultural, and educational ties, and the opening of the Ukrainian Book Bookshelf in one of Latin America’s most prestigious universities has become another vital step towards the development of long-term cultural and academic partnership between the two countries.
Among the active participants in this process is Veronika Vynohradova, a researcher at the School of Political Analysis of the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (NaUKMA) and the organizer of the international project “Networking Bridges: Ukraine and Latin America.” This initiative aims to create new platforms for dialogue between scholars, experts, diplomats, business representatives, and civil society of Ukraine and Latin American countries.
Author: Olena Zhukova
Photo: from the heroine’s archive