Join Our Ukrainian Literature Book Club!

Date & Time: November 29th, 2024 @ 6:30pm
Book: “The Night Before Christmas” by Mykola Gogol

Language: English (if you are interested in a Ukrainian-language meeting - it will take place on November 8, 2024)

Email SVIbookclub@gmail.com to register

Welcome to the Ukrainian Literature Book Club, co-presented by the St. Volodymyr Institute and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch! Whether you're a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about Ukrainian culture, this club offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich literary heritage of Ukraine.

During our meetings, we will engage in stimulating discussions, deepen our understanding of Ukrainian culture and history, and connect with fellow literature lovers. The meetings will also include a mini-lecture on the historical context of the book and will be surrounded by artifacts from the Ukrainian Museum of Canada Ontario Branch which will bring these stories to life and make for a truly enriching experience.

The theme for this meeting will be Ukrainian culture and more specifically the intertwined pagan and Christian traditions of Christmas. In Mykola Gogol’s “The Night Before Christmas”, Gogol intricately describes Ukrainian customs of Christmas which survived even during the repression of such traditions from the Russian Empire. Our Ukrainian language meeting will be held on Friday, November 8th at 6:30 pm at the St. Volodymyr Institute. The first English language meeting will be on Friday, November 29th at 6:30 pm.

If you're interested in attending, please respond to SVIbookclub@gmail.com. Be sure to indicate your preferred language for the discussion (English or Ukrainian) and the date/dates you will be attending. Due to space limitations, attendance is capped, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis for each meeting. So, don’t delay in securing your place! Meetings in each language will be bi-monthly. Please come to the meeting having read the books!

We hope you'll join us for this exciting new venture into the world of Ukrainian literature.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Приєднуйтесь до нашого Клубу української літератури!

День та час: 8 листопада, 2024 о 18:30
Книга: “Ніч Перед Різдвом” Миколи Гоголя

Мова: українська (якщо вас цікавить англомовна зустріч - вона відбудеться 29 листопада, 2024)

Напишіть на SVIbookclub@gmail.com, щоб зареєструватися.

Ласкаво просимо до Клубу української літератури, організованого спільно Інститутом святого Володимира та Музеєм України в Канаді, відділення Онтаріо. Незалежно від того, чи ви поціновувач літератури, чи просто цікавитесь українською культурою, цей клуб пропонує унікальну можливість дослідити багату літературну спадщину України.

Під час наших зустрічей ми будемо брати участь у захопливих обговореннях, глибше розуміти українську культуру та історію, а також спілкуватися з іншими любителями літератури. Зустрічі включатимуть міні-лекцію про історичний контекст книги, а також будуть доповнені артефактами з Музею України в Канаді, відділення Онтаріо, які спробують оживити ці історії.

Темою цієї зустрічі буде українська культура, а точніше переплетення язичницьких і християнських традицій Різдва. У творі Миколи Гоголя «Ніч перед Різдвом» Гоголь складно описує українські звичаї Різдва, які збереглися навіть під час репресій подібних традицій Російською імперією. Наша перша зустріч українською мовою відбудеться в пʼятницю, 8-ого листопада о 18:30 в Інституті Святого Володимира. Перша англомовна зустріч відбудеться у пʼятницю, 29 листопада о 18:30.

Якщо ви хочете взяти участь, будь ласка, відповідайте на SVIbookclub@gmail.com. Обов'язково вкажіть якою мовою ви бажаєте оговорювати твори, англійською чи українською, і дату/дати, які ви відвідаєте. Через обмежену кількість місць, місця будуть заповнені за принципом "перший прийшов - перший отримав" для кожної зустрічі. Тож не відкладайте, щоб забезпечити собі місце! Зустрічі кожною мовою проводитимуться через місяць. Будь ласка, приходьте на зустріч прочитавши книжки!

Ми сподіваємося, що ви приєднаєтесь до нас у цій захоплюючій подорожі в світ української літератури.

Ми з нетерпінням чекаємо на вас!

Join Our Ukrainian Literature Book Club!

Date & Time: October 30th, 2024 @ 6:30pm

Books: a poem "The Princess" by Taras Shevchenko and a short story "The Kozak Girl" by Marko Vovchok (Maria Vilins’ka).

Language: English

Email SVIbookclub@gmail.com to register

We are excited to announce the launch of the Ukrainian Literature Book Club, co-presented by the St. Volodymyr Institute and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch. Whether you're a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about Ukrainian culture, this club offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich literary heritage of Ukraine.

During our meetings, we will engage in stimulating discussions, deepen our understanding of Ukrainian culture and history, and connect with fellow literature lovers. The meetings will also include a mini-lecture on the historical context of the book and will be surrounded by artifacts from the Ukrainian Museum of Canada Ontario Branch which will bring these stories to life and make for a truly enriching experience.

The theme for our first meeting will be freedom and, in particular, through female characters. We will discuss two classic works of Ukrainian literature: a poem "The Princess" by Taras Shevchenko and a short story "The Kozak Girl" by Marko Vovchok (Maria Vilins’ka). Written just 10 years apart by two people that were friends, these works showcase different interpretations and understanding of what is freedom and why it is important, acknowledging its undeniable significance. Our first meeting Ukrainian language meeting will be held on Friday, September 27th at 6:30 pm at the St. Volodymyr Institute. The first English language meeting will be on Wednesday, October 30th at 6:30 pm.

If you're interested in attending, please respond to SVIbookclub@gmail.com. Be sure to indicate your preferred language for the discussion (English or Ukrainian) and the date/dates you will be attending. Due to space limitations, attendance is capped, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis for each meeting. So, don’t delay in securing your place! Meetings in each language will be bi-monthly (i.e. Book 1 - September in Ukrainian, October in English). Please come to the meeting having read the books!

We hope you'll join us for this exciting new venture into the world of Ukrainian literature. We look forward to seeing you there!

Приєднуйтесь до нашого Клубу української літератури!

День та час: 27 вересня, 2024 о 18:30
Книги: поема Тараса Шевченка «Княжна» та оповідання Марка Вовчка (Марії Вілінської) «Козачка».

Мова: українська (якщо вас цікавить англомовна зустріч - вона відбудеться 30 жовтня, 2024)

Напишіть на SVIbookclub@gmail.com, щоб зареєструватися.

Ми раді оголосити про запуск Клубу української літератури, організованого спільно Інститутом святого Володимира та Музеєм України в Канаді, відділення Онтаріо. Незалежно від того, чи ви поціновувач літератури, чи просто цікавитесь українською культурою, цей клуб пропонує унікальну можливість дослідити багату літературну спадщину України.

Під час наших зустрічей ми будемо брати участь у захопливих обговореннях, глибше розуміти українську культуру та історію, а також спілкуватися з іншими любителями літератури. Зустрічі включатимуть міні-лекцію про історичний контекст книги, а також будуть доповнені артефактами з Музею України в Канаді, відділення Онтаріо, які спробують оживити ці історії.

Темою нашої першої зустрічі буде свобода, зокрема, в очах жіночих персонажів. Ми обговоримо два класичні твори української літератури: поему "Княжна" Тараса Шевченка та оповідання "Козачка" Марка Вовчка (Марії Вілінської). Написані з різницею лише в 10 років двома друзями, ці твори демонструють різні інтерпретації та розуміння того, що таке свобода і чому вона важлива, та все одно визнаючи її безсумнівне значення. Наша перша зустріч українською мовою відбудеться в пʼятницю, 27-ого вересня о 18:30 в Інституті Святого Володимира. Перша англомовна зустріч відбудеться у середу, 30 жовтня о 18:30.

Якщо ви хочете взяти участь, будь ласка, відповідайте на SVIbookclub@gmail.com. Обов'язково вкажіть якою мовою ви бажаєте оговорювати твори, англійською чи українською, і дату/дати, які ви відвідаєте. Через обмежену кількість місць, місця будуть заповнені за принципом "перший прийшов - перший отримав" для кожної зустрічі. Тож не відкладайте, щоб забезпечити собі місце! Зустрічі кожною мовою проводитимуться через місяць (наприклад, Книга 1 - вересень українською, жовтень англійською). Будь ласка, приходьте на зустріч прочитавши книжки!

Ми сподіваємося, що ви приєднаєтесь до нас у цій захоплюючій подорожі в світ української літератури.

Ми з нетерпінням чекаємо на вас!

Today is the last day to submit for the Ukrainian Zine Library (to be included in the exhibit).

We’ve extended the Ukrainian Zine Library Call for submissions to Wed. Sep. 4, 2024!

Note that we will continue collecting your zines on an ongoing basis; this call-out is specifically for inclusion in the official Ukrainian Zine Library launch.

If you are in Toronto, Winnipeg, Kyiv (Ukraine), or London (UK), find out the drop-off locations.

Today is the last day to submit for the Ukrainian Zine Library (to be included in the exhibit).

We're excited to announce the launch of the very first Ukrainian Zine Library (that we know of) at the SVI Library, located at 620 Spadina Ave in Toronto, happening this September. We invite collaborators with Ukrainian content to celebrate creativity and culture by contributing to this exciting initiative. Let's unite to showcase our community's diverse voices and perspectives through the art of zines.

The SVI Library and the OCAD University Ukrainian Students and Alumni Collective (OCADU USAC) call upon Ukrainians worldwide and collaborators with Ukrainian content to participate in our inaugural exhibition. Located at 620 Spadina Avenue, this exhibition will feature zines from across the globe, showcasing diverse Ukrainian perspectives and content. Please note that by submitting your zine, you consent to its inclusion in the permanent collection of the Ukrainian Zine Library at SVI. We welcome original zines from all creators and encourage submissions from those collaborating with Ukrainian content.

Submit zines (1-2 copies) anytime before Monday, August 26, 2024.

In Ukrainian literature, the war gave rise to a whole layer of works written by both veteran writers, combatants, and professional writers. These works are strikingly different from works written during the previous wars, including the literature of Ukrainian resistance. The specific realities of the Ukrainian-Russian war (such as its hybridity, the transfer of hostilities to the information space, the use of enemy propaganda and provocation, crimes against Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territories and the humanitarian consequences of the occupation, the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, advocacy for Ukraine abroad, etc.) have led to the search for a new artistic language and new artistic means that Ukrainian literature has not yet had in its arsenal. War is an absurd reality in which each of us is looking for his or her own way to survive the trauma and maintain sanity. It is interesting to see what tools fiction has to describe the realities of war, to live through and comprehend the dramatic experiences and traumas that cannot be avoided in wartime. Using the material of the latest Ukrainian works about the war, Halyna Kruk will analyse the forms and formation of war narratives, the transformation of the documentary into fiction, the depth of existential experiences, and the possibilities of fiction as a therapeutic practice of talking through personal and collective traumatic experiences.

Halyna Kruk (1974) is a poet and prose writer, translator, and scholar from Lviv, Ukraine. She is the author of six books of poetry, The BookWar (2023), An Adult Woman (2017), Co(an)existence (2013), The Face beyond the Photograph (2005), Footprints on Sand and Journeys in Search of a Home (both 1997), collection of short stories Anyone but me (2021), and four books for children. Her Marko Travels Around the World and The Littlest One have been translated into 15 languages. She is a winner of numerous literary awards abroad and in Ukraine, among them The Sundara Ramaswamy Prize, The 2023 Women in Arts Award, The 2022 Kovaliv Fund Prize for her proze book Anyone but me, The Best Book Award of BookForum 2021, Smoloskyp Poetry Award, Bohdan Ihor Antonych Prize and “Hranoslov” Award. She has been shortlisted for shortlist for The 2024 Griffin Poetry Prize. Her works have been translated into more than 30 languages. The latest of Kruk’s books of poems A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails (2023) and Lost in Living (2024) were published in biligual Ukrainian-English version in U.S. (in translation of Amelia Glaser, Yulia Ilchuk, Ali Kinsella and Dzvinia Orlowsky). Kruk holds a PhD in Ukrainian baroque literature (2001) and is a member of the Ukrainian PEN. She lives in Lviv and teaches European and Ukrainian baroque literature at the Ivan Franko National University in Lviv.

In-person 

Speakers

Halyna Kruk – Poet and prose writer, translator, and scholar

Taras Koznarsky – Associate Professor; Acting Associate Chair, Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures

Co-Sponsor:  Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine, CERES and the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, and St. Volodymyr Institute

Get Your Copy of the Exclusive Release of "13 Stories of War"

Discover the compelling collection of powerful visual essays in "13 Stories of War," documenting the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine. Authored by 13 distinguished Ukrainian photographers and artists, this book offers a unique glimpse into the personal and collective experiences shaped by the conflict.

Date of Availability: Available for purchase starting Wednesday, May 22nd.

Location: SVI, 620 Spadina Avenue, Toronto

Cost: $80 (CAD)

Pre-Order/Waitlist Details: Due to the limited number of copies available, our pre-order process is directly linked to our waitlist. Fill out the form below to pre-order your copy. Orders are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. If initial stocks are claimed, your submission will automatically place you on our waitlist. We will notify you as soon as additional copies become available.

Explore the Exhibit: On now, visit our ongoing exhibit showcasing select works from "13 Stories of War." Experience the powerful narratives and stunning photography firsthand.

Coming This Summer: "13 Stories of War" will also be available in our library this summer.

Find out more about the book and exhibit

Join us for a remarkable presentation of the book "Imperishable," commemorating World Embroidery Day! This exceptional study delves deeply into the rich symbolism of Ukrainian embroidery and jewelry, highlighting the courageous expressions of national identity by the Ukrainian people.

Guiding us through this enlightening journey will be Lesya Voronyuk, the founder of Vyshyvanka Day.

Step into the vibrant tapestry of Ukrainian culture by wearing your very own embroidered shirts and joining us for a memorable group photo! Your participation will add an extra layer of vibrancy and colour to this special event!

The presentation will be in Ukrainian and English.

What you can expect:

• Presentation by Lesya Voronyuk and a Q+A session

• "Imperishable" available for purchase, with a book signing opportunity

• Live music performance by Katya Boyko from E.K.A.

• There will be a special showcase of a unique collection of embroidered textiles from the Ukrainian Museum in Canada, Ontario Branch

• Featuring Ukrainian fashion: Hoyra (Lviv, Ukraine) presents designer clothing inspired by traditional Ukrainian embroidery, with items on display and select few available for sale.

Donations are being collected in support of Second Front Ukraine Foundation efforts in Ukraine.

The event is organized by Second Front Ukraine Foundation, St. Volodymyr Institute, and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch

"13 Stories of War" Exhibition and Book Release

Ukrainian photographers document and reflect on the Russian invasion.

SVI is proud to feature the recent release of "13 Stories of War," a powerful compilation documenting the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine. Available for purchase in May at SVI, this poignant collection features individual visual essays by 13 Ukrainian photographers and artists, whose work has already garnered widespread recognition through extensive media coverage.

In addition to the book release, SVI will host an exclusive exhibition featuring select works from six of the featured photographers. Capturing the raw essence of war, these photographs provide a vivid account of the human experience amidst conflict.

Stay tuned for an upcoming panel discussion featuring the contributors in the book.

More about the book:

"The stories and testimonies in this book are not only photographs. They are beautiful, brutal, present, and personal - photographic adjectives, filed with content that is deeper and more relevant than most news photography can ever hope ot be. But, perhaps most importantly, they are historical documents, visual evidence to be presented in a future where the fog of war has cleared, and justice once again prevails." — Swedish photojournalist Paul Hansen wrote in the foreword for the book. In it, he emphasizes the relevance of the images, the depth these testimonies bring ot the reader, and how they initiate a deeper conversation about the impact of military violence on Ukraine.

Ukrainian Warchive published its first book "13 Stories of War" to mark the second year of full-scale Russian invasion.

The book features individual visual essays accompanied by text created by 13 Ukrainian photographers and artists, members of the Ukrainian Warchive. Their photographic testimonies go beyond conventional narratives and together with text they give readers a nuanced and personal perspective that goes beyond typical media coverage. The essays delve into themes of resistance, loss and hope and provide a vivid account of the human experience in the midst of war.

"Through our collaboration with Misha Pedan, co-editor of the book, our goal was to highlight the authors' personal ties to their captured moments in the projects. Despite the backdrop of ongoing military violence, these documentary photographers and artists have been courageously living, working, and sharing the realities of Ukraine with the world since the Russian Invasion. As the photo editor, curating these powerful photo stories represents the photographers' resilience and resistance to me. Each essay varies in approach, style, Ukrainian Warchive.

The book has been supported by the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna (Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen, WI M) within the Documenting Ukraine program, the Hasselblad Foundation, and the Swedish Institute.

Title: 13 Stories of War.

Publisher: Ukrainian Warchive, 2024.

Editors and artistic directors: Emine Ziyatdinova, Misha Pedan.

• Photographers:

• Julia Kochetova

• Yana Kononova

• Evgeniy Maloletka

• Lisa Bukreyeva

• Roman Pashkovskiy

• Alena Grom,

• Sergii Polezhaka

• Dmytro Kozatskyi

• Sasha Kurmaz

• Alexander Glyadyelov

• Olia Koval,

• Viacheslav Ratynskyi

• Roman Bordun

Graphic Design:
Anders Malmströmer.
Format: Hardcover.

Size: 23.5 x26.5 cm, 168 pages Weight: 140 g

ISBN: 978-91-527-9388-6

Edition: 2000 copies