On October 3, at the 32nd Lviv International BookForum, a special event took place — the presentation of our veterans’ short story collection “Voices of Defenders Vol. 1.” This collection combines print and audio formats, so the stories of Ukrainian defenders are also brought to life through the voices of other veterans.

“Voices of Defenders are the true stories of young people who took a stand to defend Ukraine’s independence, portraying the war not just as a series of battles, but as a deeply personal, pulsating experience of memory, pain, and love. Yes — love in all its forms. Listen to these voices. They matter.”

— Valeriy Puzik, writer, serviceman, and author of the foreword

🎧📖 Read the collection online:

Discover the stories of the real people!

It was a special event — very warm and heartfelt. We are thrilled that most of the authors and voice actors joined us to personally share their stories, their journeys, and the process of writing or recording the short stories.

For some, it was their first time writing or recording with headphones and a microphone; for others, their first public performance; and for yet others, their first autograph in their own book.

📚 Authors and Voice Actors of This Year’s Collection

Short Story Authors: Andriy Bodnar, Anastasiia Khlibnyk, Denys Skorbatiuk, Ihor Dusan, Inna Korolenko, Iryna Vasechko, Volodymyr Saveliev, Andriy Kaspshishak, Andriy Sushko, Danylo Stavytskyi.

Voice Actors: Ruslana Danilkina, Roksolana Vynnytska, Svitlana Baranova, Ruslan Kukhta, Oleksii Stolyar, Maksym Fetisov, Oleksandr Bazylevych, Kyrylo Baranov, Yevhenii Krainov, Viktor Meshcheryakov.

Each story is not just a text, but a piece of lived experience—a voice that is now heard. It was moving; it was real. The stories are all different: defenders from various brigades and cities, some familiar, some strangers, yet united by a shared desire to create.

After the presentation, attendees received copies of the book as gifts—they immediately had the chance to talk with the authors, get autographs, and express their thanks in person.

🫂 Special Thanks

We thank the speakers, authors, and voice actors, as well as the event organizers—Yurko Vovkohon, Hryhoriy Semenchuk, Bohdan Kordoba, and Nazar Pavlyk—and everyone who came to support our veterans. Special thanks to the BookForum and Nelli Klos for the opportunity to present the collection at such an important literary festival.

Coordinator: Yurko Vovkohon

Printing: 3.3.3 Publishing House (Bohdan Kordoba)

Compiler & Editor: Hryhoriy Semenchuk

Sound Engineer: Nazar Pavlyk (79014records studio)

Foreword: Valeriy Puzik

Photography: Kit Kharkaternyk & Oleksandra Basarab

Website: Lesyk Pidzharyi

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The publication of Voices of Defenders. vol.1 is part of the eponymous Ukrainian-Danish project supporting young defenders and military volunteers in Ukraine. It is implemented by the YMCA-YWCA Lviv team together with KFUM og KFUK i Danmark, with the support of CISU (Civil Society in Development) Denmark. Volumes 2 and 3 are planned for release over the next two years.