The Oratory of the Austrian National Library hosted the presentation of the new book of poems “Ich bin all das, was lieb und wert mir ist” (“I am all that is beloved and dear to me”) by the 92-year-old Ukrainian national poet Lina Kostenko on April 6, 2022. Ukrainian opera singer Zoryana Kushpler, who lives in Vienna, and Slavicist Professor Alois Woldan, who translated the work into German, gave a bilingual reading that included excerpts from the new volume of poetry and other works by Lina Kostenko. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg participated in the book presentation, which was organised by the Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Austrian National Library – sending a strong signal of solidarity with the Ukrainian community in Austria.
Ukraine is a European country and the Ukrainians are our neighbours, so it goes without saying that we will do everything in our power to reduce the suffering of displaced persons. Furthermore, we must always remember that not everyone can flee – Lina Kostenko, whom we honour today, is one of those,
emphasised Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, referring to the situation of the Ukrainian poet, who is still in Kiev.
Lina Kostenko is considered a moral authority in Ukraine, calling for self-critical reflection and self-awareness in order to replenish the strength of the Ukrainian nation after centuries of colonisation. Her novel “Notes of a Ukrainian Madman” addresses the central problem in Ukraine since its independence: The creation of national elites, and their challenges following 1991.
The desire for freedom and independence among the people of Ukraine, and their willingness to put their own lives on the line for it, deserves our utmost respect. Lina Kostenko stands for this striving for freedom and independence like hardly anyone else,
said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, speaking about Lina Kostenko’s work.
During the book presentation, the Ukrainian ambassador in Vienna, Dr. Vasyl Khymynets, gave a speech in which he shared a greeting from Ms. Olena Selenka, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian violinist Vira Zhuk, who is also supported by the Foreign Ministry’s music promotion program, New Austrian Sound of Music, and opera singer Zoryana Kushpler, provided the musical program. Numerous other figures from the Ukrainian community in Vienna, including members of the Ukrainian parish of St. Barbara, also took part in the event.
The book presentation is part of the international year of literature that was announced in March 2022. The goal of the Foreign Ministry’s Year of Focus, which runs until Austria’s guest country appearance at the Leipzig Book Fair in 2023, is to promote projects for literary dialogue. “Ich bin all das, was lieb und wert mir ist” is being published by Kärntner Wieser Verlag.
