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Kyiv recently hosted one of Ukraine’s most important cultural events: the XIII International Book Arsenal Festival. This year, the festival took place from May 29th to June 1st at the beautiful Mystetskyi Arsenal, a large historical building in the heart of the city. For many years, the Book Arsenal has been a special place where books, literature, art, and music come together.

The main theme for the Book Arsenal 2025 was “Everything between us is a translation.” This interesting theme encouraged visitors to think about how we understand each other and the world around us, especially through language and art. The festival offered a wide variety of events, with over 200 different activities planned over four days.

Visitors could explore a large book fair with more than 100 big and small Ukrainian publishers presenting their new and popular books. It was a great chance to discover new authors and find interesting stories. Besides the books, there were many other things to see and do. The program included lectures, discussions, poetry readings, and public interviews with famous Ukrainian and international writers. This year, the Illustrators’ Fair also returned, where talented artists showcased their work.

Despite the current challenges, the Book Arsenal continues to be a vital platform for Ukrainian culture and a meeting point for readers, writers, and publishers. It helps to connect people through shared ideas and stories, showing the strength and richness of Ukrainian literature and art. The festival’s focus on meaningful topics ensures it’s not just a book market, but a place for important conversations and a deeper understanding of our society.