The Book Bans of War: A Calculated Effort to Erase Ukraine’s Identity

The destruction of 12 million books in Ukraine, ahead of the country’s first week back at school, is a calculated attack on Ukrainian identity, culture, and history. This assault on physical books is part of a broader campaign by Russia to destroy Ukraine’s cultural heritage, targeting museums, art galleries, film studios, libraries, and opera houses.

The destruction is not limited to just books; over 35 publishing facilities have been hit in recent weeks, including a major printing press in Kyiv that was set ablaze as production was ramping up. The loss is both financial and cultural: an entire generation of Ukrainians is being denied access to their own history and literature.

Viktoria Haidai, commercial director of the Konvi publishing firm, says, “The Russians are destroying printing houses in an attempt to erase Ukraine as a nation. But frankly they will not succeed.” This sentiment echoes that of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly condemned Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2021 essay, “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” provides insight into Russia’s motivations. In it, he questioned the legitimacy of an independent Ukrainian state and culture, implying that Ukrainians and Russians are one people with shared history and heritage.

This is not just a matter of cultural sensitivities; it’s a deliberate attempt to erase Ukraine’s distinctiveness and replace it with a Russian-dominated narrative. By destroying physical books, Russia aims to break the connection between generations and sever the link between Ukrainian identity and its rich cultural heritage.

Ukraine’s minister of culture, Tetyana Berezhna, notes that digitization efforts are underway to protect art and literature and ensure children can still learn despite the attacks on physical books. However, digitization is no substitute for physical books – a tangible connection to Ukrainian history and identity.

The international community must take notice and act. The destruction of cultural heritage sites is a war crime under international law, and those responsible must be held accountable. Beyond condemnation and sanctions lies a pressing question: what can be done to support Ukraine’s publishing sector and preserve its cultural heritage?

As Haidai eloquently puts it, “The word is everything. It is our development, our culture, and our historical heritage that is passed down from generation to generation.” The world must come together to support Ukraine’s publishing sector and ensure that its cultural heritage is preserved.

In this war of words and books, the stakes are high – but the outcome is far from certain. Will Ukraine’s identity be erased, or will its people find a way to preserve their history and culture in the face of Russian aggression? The world watches with bated breath as Ukraine struggles to rebuild and reclaim its cultural heritage.

The destruction of 12 million books serves as a stark reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, culture and identity can never be erased. They may be destroyed, but they will always find a way to rise from the ashes – like the golden domes of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral, which stood tall despite the drone attack.

Ukraine stands as a beacon of hope in this war of words, a testament to the power of culture and identity in the face of aggression. The battle for Ukraine’s cultural heritage is not just about books; it’s about preserving the very essence of human existence.