Meeting with Inna Shevchenko
Book presentation
This book is a moving plunge into the heart of the war in Ukraine, told through a fictional monologue shaped by dozens of real voices of Ukrainian women. Inna Shevchenko composes a universal portrait of a protagonist who embodies millions of women, bearing witness to the brutal arrival of war, occupation and her commitment to defending her country, while sharing her raw emotions.
A true collective cry of women in the face of war, this Letter from the East blends tales of survival and resilience, revealing the indomitable spirit of those fighting for their freedom, their future and the soul of their homeland.
A native of Kherson, a region devastated by the conflict, the author offers us a testimony both intimate and universal, illuminating the war through the eyes of women, often forgotten, but essential.
"You want to know what it means to be a woman in this war? It means fighting two battles - one for your country, and another for the very right to defend it. [...]
Watching weapons being handed out to boys who can barely hold them, to men who hate them, while you, standing, ready, burning, fists clenched, are still being told, "Not you." - Inna Shevchenko.
Author biography
Inna Shevchenko is a renowned French-Ukrainian activist and writer, known for her ardent advocacy of women's rights with FEMEN and freedom of expression with Charlie Hebdo. Originally from Kherson, Ukraine, her work is strongly influenced by her fight for women's rights, democracy but also, her personal suffering from the ongoing war in Ukraine, driving her to highlight the struggles and resilience of Ukrainian women through her writing.
"Ukrainian Library" cycle
This cycle aims to reflect Ukrainian current affairs in the broadest sense, through recent publications dedicated to or affecting Ukraine.
Organizer
- Iryna Dmytrychyn (CREE, Inalco)