Ukrainian Author Wins National Literary Award with Book on War
Date: 2023-10-27 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: CULTURE
Ukrainian writer Lyudmyla Kalabukha's book, "Do the Opposite: Life and Sales Before and During War," has claimed the top spot in the literary world. The VII All-Ukrainian Literary Competition, organized by renowned writer and public figure Halyna Fesyuk, bestowed the title of Best Book in Ukraine for 2023 upon Kalabukha's work.
The author expressed her joy, saying, "At the conclusion of the VII All-Ukrainian Literary Competition named after Lesya Martovych, of which Halyna Fesyuk is the organizer and founder, my book 'Do the Opposite: Life and Sales Before and During War' was recognized as the best in Ukraine in 2023." She also shared that her book had been introduced to European readers at the international Frankfurt Book Fair in 2023 and is the only book by a Ukrainian author about war available in English on Amazon.
Kalabukha explained, "The idea to translate my book into English came from my readers who took my books with them into the unknown. Therefore, people who sheltered them and help abroad were very interested in reading them. As a writer, I see my mission as documenting facts, names, and stories of this war and conveying the truth. As the world faces an economic crisis, the Ukrainian experience and specific sales advice from my book will assist foreign readers in dealing with their challenges and problems."
This is the author's third book. Her first book, "Start Saying 'NO'," made it into the Top 10 Best Books in Ukraine in 2017, according to the All-Ukrainian "Best Book of the Year" ranking. Her 11th edition is currently in preparation. Her second book, "When to Say 'YES'," won the Readers' Choice category at the Best Book in Ukraine 2020 competition according to KU Awards 2020. The money the author receives as awards in these competitions is donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In addition to her writing, Kalabukha is an honorary ambassador for UN Women's Empowerment, an expert in sales for the state program supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurship, "Diia," and the best business trainer in Ukraine in 2023, according to the Ukrainian Business Award.
The author expressed her joy, saying, "At the conclusion of the VII All-Ukrainian Literary Competition named after Lesya Martovych, of which Halyna Fesyuk is the organizer and founder, my book 'Do the Opposite: Life and Sales Before and During War' was recognized as the best in Ukraine in 2023." She also shared that her book had been introduced to European readers at the international Frankfurt Book Fair in 2023 and is the only book by a Ukrainian author about war available in English on Amazon.
Kalabukha explained, "The idea to translate my book into English came from my readers who took my books with them into the unknown. Therefore, people who sheltered them and help abroad were very interested in reading them. As a writer, I see my mission as documenting facts, names, and stories of this war and conveying the truth. As the world faces an economic crisis, the Ukrainian experience and specific sales advice from my book will assist foreign readers in dealing with their challenges and problems."
This is the author's third book. Her first book, "Start Saying 'NO'," made it into the Top 10 Best Books in Ukraine in 2017, according to the All-Ukrainian "Best Book of the Year" ranking. Her 11th edition is currently in preparation. Her second book, "When to Say 'YES'," won the Readers' Choice category at the Best Book in Ukraine 2020 competition according to KU Awards 2020. The money the author receives as awards in these competitions is donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In addition to her writing, Kalabukha is an honorary ambassador for UN Women's Empowerment, an expert in sales for the state program supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurship, "Diia," and the best business trainer in Ukraine in 2023, according to the Ukrainian Business Award.
