International Charity Organization Book Aid joins forces with PEN in supporting libraries devastated by war in Ukraine.
Hey there! Let's chat about this Book Aid International collaboration that's been making waves lately. Instead of focusing on the Global South, this UK-based charity has taken a different approach and teamed up with PEN Ukraine, English PEN, and PEN International. The goal? To donate a whopping 25,000 new books to libraries in Ukraine and support the Unbreakable Ukrainian Libraries initiative.
Why Ukraine? Well, the country has been going through some tough times, battling a war that has no sign of abating. These books, scheduled to arrive in Kyiv in September, will be spread across cities nationwide and consist of a variety of titles - from children's books to classics, art and leisure books, and English language learning materials. The selection is based on requirements put forth by PEN Ukraine.
This collaboration isn't just about books, you know. Russia's air strikes have devastated over 570 Ukrainian library facilities, erasing countless collections in the process. The Unbreakable Ukrainian Libraries initiative has already started replenishing libraries in cities like Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and more with English and Ukrainian books. UK publishers have generously donated these books, and it's not the first time they've come to Ukraine's aid.
Nigel Newton, the Boss at Book Aid International (yeah, he's also the President of Bloomsbury), has been whipping up some encouragement. He's been urging other publishers to jump on the bandwagon by contributing through book donations, funding, or even raising awareness. Oxford University Press has already chipped in financially to support this shipment.
Ukrainian libraries are more than just book repositories. They serve as community hubs, bomb shelters, and links to the outside world - embodying global solidarity with a besieged Ukraine. Tetyana Teren, the Boss Lady at PEN Ukraine, has highlighted the growing importance of the English language in Ukraine.According to the Education First English Proficiency Index, Ukraine ranked 35th in English proficiency in 2022, demonstrating the language's increasing role in Ukrainian educational and cultural dynamics.
This project between Book Aid International, PEN International, and English PEN aims to further enshrine English books in Ukrainian libraries, making them more accessible for Ukrainians. So here's hoping this collaboration helps carry Ukraine through these challenging times.
Now, as for the latest updates on the project, well, the search results aren't exactly bursting with details. The last report suggests that Book Aid International's latest shipment in June 2025 was to Cameroon, not Ukraine. But who knows, any updates could be just a click away on the official websites or social media channels of Book Aid International, PEN Ukraine, English PEN, and PEN International. So, stay tuned!
- The collaboration between Book Aid International and various PEN organizations is not limited to education and self-development; it also serves as a significant policy and legislation stand in supporting the war-affected region of Ukraine.
- Amid ongoing conflicts, the donation of 25,000 books to Ukrainian libraries, predominantly containing diverse titles, including sports, football, European leagues, arts, and English language learning material, signifies an intervention in general news and the lifelong learning sector.
- In the realm of politics, this project symbolizes solidarity with a besieged Ukraine while emphasizing the growing importance of the English language in Ukraine's educational and cultural dynamics.
- The manipulation of online education platforms could lead to increased donations via book contributions, funding, or awareness creation throughout the football community, bolstering the Unbreakable Ukrainian Libraries initiative.
- Champions League participants might consider using their influence to promote this cause and contribute in various ways, underscoring the potential significance of sports figures during times of conflict.
- As the acknowledgment of Ukraine's growing English proficiency level (ranked 35th in 2022) indicates, this project aims to revolutionize library resources, making English books more accessible and fostering a more inclusive learning environment in Ukraine.
