New Delhi hosts a unique stall at the World Book Fair this year. You cannot purchase physical books here. This special space sits in hall 4 of Bharat Mandapam. It showcases publications from Ukraine.
Why No Physical Books Are Available
Visitors find only QR codes on display. They scan these codes to download and read books. The reason is simple. Ukraine faces a full-scale war for four years. Getting fresh stock of books from the country is nearly impossible.
Volodymyr Prytula, an official from the Ukrainian embassy, explains the situation. "We have many books from the embassy library," he says. "Transporting books from Ukraine now is extremely expensive. We could not bring copies for sale. That is why we created the QR codes."
War Literature Dominates the Collection
The digital collection features many books about the war. Soldiers and volunteers write these stories. They share experiences from the frontlines. Titles include War It Is! Through Volunteers' Eyes and We Were Killed Because We Are Ukrainians.
Ukrainian author Lyubko Deresh traveled from Kyiv to Delhi for the festival. He describes a paradoxical boom. "Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainian culture and literature have gone through a boom. It is paradoxical, but real," Deresh states. "Despite Russian aggression, interest in Ukrainian literature has grown sharply. The book market has expanded."
He emphasizes literature's dual role. "We have probably around 1,000 books on the war. These are written by warriors on the frontlines and by people far from the war zone. It is flourishing under very sad circumstances, but many strong literary voices are also emerging. The literature is both a testimony and a way of survival for Ukrainians."
Beyond War: Food and Art Books
Not all books focus on conflict. The collection also includes works on food and art. These subjects might seem insignificant during war. Yet they represent what people hold onto in tough times.
International Collaboration Brings the Stall to Life
Austria collaborates with Ukraine to set up this stall. Michael A Pal, director of the Austrian Cultural Forum in New Delhi, shares the motivation. "Our minister of foreign affairs started this. She decided to support Ukrainian artists, especially since many of them are now living in Vienna after seeking refuge. The idea is to give Ukraine a visible stage."
The National Book Trust, under the ministry of education, organizes the fair. The India Trade Promotion Organisation acts as co-organizer.
Indian Visitors Seek Understanding
For many Indian parents, the stall provides a teaching moment. Saurabh Gupta visits from west Delhi with his Class VII son. "We wanted to understand what is really happening in Ukraine now," Gupta says. "We were curious about how the Ukrainian people are living through this phase, what their culture looks like today, and how they are coping with the war."
Samrit, a civil services aspirant, lingers near the display. "I want to see more from Ukraine in the future," he remarks.
Symbolism of the Stall's Presence
In a fair filled with new releases and bestsellers, this stall stands out. Its mere presence is a victory. It offers visitors a direct connection to Ukraine. It provides Ukrainians with another window to the world.
The stall symbolizes global solidarity. It highlights resilience through culture. Despite the ravages of war, Ukrainian voices continue to speak through literature.
