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This book brings to life the remarkable-and often challenging-journeys of nine Ukrainians from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa, and Poltava, along with one Austrian who chose to become Ukrainian. With unshakable resilience and optimism, they overcame physical and mental barriers, leaving a lasting impact through their vision, creativity, and actions. Through their stories, readers are invited to explore Ukraine's complex relationship with its borders-at once a source of danger and division, yet also a space for trade, cultural exchange, and connection. More than a collection of biographies, this volume is an enthralling journey through Ukraine's history and vibrant culture, told through the lives of extraordinary but often overlooked individuals. It celebrates the Ukrainian spirit-resilient, adaptable, and deeply rooted in a love for nature, music, and the visual arts. By shining a light on these forgotten figures, the book reveals their profound contributions to global culture and offers a fresh, insightful perspective on Ukraine. At a time when the Russo-Ukrainian War revives echoes of colonialism and Cold War thinking, these stories serve as urgent reminders: Ukrainian bravery, flexibility, and determination are not just part of the past but remain vital today. They show how individuals persistently pursued their dreams, achieved self-realization, and earned recognition worldwide-examples that inspire and resonate far beyond Ukraine's borders.
About the author
Dr Olga Khomenko is a visiting scholar at the Russian and East European Studies Centre at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford, and at the Japan Centre, SOAS, University of London. A specialist in Japanese Studies and International History, she focuses on the entangled histories of Eastern Asia and Eastern Europe. Educated in Kyiv and Tokyo, she has taught at leading Ukrainian universities and worked in journalism and diplomacy. Her research has been supported by fellowships at the University of Oxford (CARA/BritishAcademy), Harvard University (Fulbright), the University of Tokyo, and the University of Vienna. Her books include The Faraway Sky of Kyiv: Ukrainians in the War (Ibidem, 2023), The Far Eastern Odyssey of Ivan Svit (Laurus, 2021) and From Ukraine with Love (Gunzosha, 2014). She also co-translated A Short Anthology of Contemporary Ukrainian Literature into Japanese (Gunzosha, 2005).
Dr Zbigniew Wojnowski, Associate Professor of Soviet History at St Antony's College, University of Oxford.
Summary
This book brings to life the remarkable—and often challenging—journeys of nine Ukrainians from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa, and Poltava, along with one Austrian who chose to become Ukrainian. With unshakable resilience and optimism, they overcame physical and mental barriers, leaving a lasting impact through their vision, creativity, and actions. Through their stories, readers are invited to explore Ukraine’s complex relationship with its borders—at once a source of danger and division, yet also a space for trade, cultural exchange, and connection. More than a collection of biographies, this volume is an enthralling journey through Ukraine’s history and vibrant culture, told through the lives of extraordinary but often overlooked individuals. It celebrates the Ukrainian spirit—resilient, adaptable, and deeply rooted in a love for nature, music, and the visual arts. By shining a light on these forgotten figures, the book reveals their profound contributions to global culture and offers a fresh, insightful perspective on Ukraine. At a time when the Russo-Ukrainian War revives echoes of colonialism and Cold War thinking, these stories serve as urgent reminders: Ukrainian bravery, flexibility, and determination are not just part of the past but remain vital today. They show how individuals persistently pursued their dreams, achieved self-realization, and earned recognition worldwide—examples that inspire and resonate far beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Report
"One of [Khomenko's] three books on Ukraine that exist in Japanese language you must read."
Nihon Keizai Shimbun / "The Nikkei"
