Nash Format Publishing announces release of Maksym Kryvtsov’s diaries

The book of the fallen soldier, poet, and photographer Maksym “Dali” Kryvtsov, titled “On the Minefield of Memory: Diaries, Essays, Stories,” will be published by the Nash Format Publishing House. The book will be released in fall 2024.

“On the Minefield of Memory” comprises Maksym’s diary entries from 2015—during his time fighting with the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and later during the full-scale invasion, when he served as a machine gunner in the Armed Forces of Ukraine—up until his death in early 2024. 

The texts are imbued with reflections on the events of those years, poems published in the book and on his Facebook page, essays, and stories. 

“Memory is the only thing we have left,” said Maksym Kryvtsov’s friend and comrade, Valerii Puzik. “It hangs over us like leaden clouds, with unsaid words and smells. ‘On the Minefield of Memory’ is about names and feelings. […] ‘On the Minefield of Memory’ is a self-portrait of a poet, photographer, educator, and warrior, written by himself. Take it and read. Read and remember.”

As reported earlier, Maksym Kryvtsov was killed by Russian forces at the front on Jan. 7, 2024. Maksym Kryvtsov (call sign Dali) participated in the Revolution of Dignity and joined the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps after the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014. Later, after returning to civilian life, he worked for a program that helps to rehabilitate and reintegrate veterans into society, and also enjoyed spending time as an instructor at Strokati Yenoty, an “adventure camp” for children. His first collection of poems, “Poems from the Loophole,” was recently published by the Nash Format Publishing House and was included in PEN Ukraine’s list of the best Ukrainian books of the year.

RELATED: Echoes from the frontline: Maksym Kryvtsov on war, poetry, and why Ukrainian youth give him hope

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn