Culture is one of the strongest tools for preserving national identity and uniting Ukrainians in different corners of the world. This exact mission was accomplished by the literary evening of Ukrainian journalist and writer Alla Boiko, which took place in Zurich and gathered numerous admirers of Ukrainian books.
The media partner of the event was Business Woman Magazine, which traditionally supports cultural, educational, and social initiatives of the Ukrainian community abroad.
Olesia Tarasenko — President of the Swiss-Ukrainian Association VIDNOVA, Director of the foreign representative office of Business Woman Magazine in Switzerland, and member of the Pastoral Council of the Ukrainian community in Zurich — addressed the guests with a welcoming speech. She emphasized that today, the Ukrainian book is not only a cultural heritage but also an important element of cultural diplomacy that helps maintain a connection with the Homeland and pass Ukrainian values on to future generations.
At the center of the evening was a creative meeting with Alla Boiko — a journalist, writer, and author whose books and journalism reveal new facets of Ukrainian history, culture, and modernity. Participants had the opportunity to talk with the writer and learn more about her creative journey, inspiration, and the role of literature in shaping society.
A special atmosphere was created by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community of Zurich, which is increasingly becoming a space not only for spiritual life but also for the cultural development of Ukrainians in Switzerland. It is precisely such initiatives that form a strong community where faith, education, art, and national memory come together.
Sincere thanks to Fr. Ivan Machuzhak for supporting cultural and educational initiatives and for creating an environment in which Ukrainian culture continues to live and develop.
Special words of gratitude go to Liudmyla Kuchenko, head of the “Ukrainian Book in Switzerland” project, for her professional moderation of the meeting and her long-standing work in promoting Ukrainian literature abroad.
At the conclusion of the evening, the head of the Pastoral Council, Oleksandra Pentsko, presented Alla Boiko with flowers, symbolically thanking her for her contribution to the development of Ukrainian culture and the preservation of national memory.
A full hall, lively dialogue, sincere emotions, and keen interest in Ukrainian books confirmed once again: even far from the Homeland, Ukrainian culture remains a powerful force that unites people, strengthens the community, and creates new opportunities for international cultural dialogue.
Business Woman Magazine will continue to support projects that contribute to the development of Ukrainian culture, education, and international cooperation, as these are what shape a strong civil society and a positive image of Ukraine in the world.
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Author: Olesia Tarasenko
Photo: from the author’s archive