IBBY is deeply concerned about the current invasion into Ukraine, but also commiserate with their colleagues in Moscow

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) expressed their concern about the invasion by the Russian military into Ukraine. The statement was published on their official website.

«Throughout history, war affects the innocent and above all the children. We know that when children are in a country at war they suffer great trauma even when they escape physical wounds. The same is true for children who suddenly lose their whole sense of safety and peace. IBBY International is deeply concerned about the current invasion by the Russian military into the sovereign state of Ukraine», – the statement says. 

IBBY notes that «literature, particularly literature for children, has the power to change the future, to teach the next generations not to destroy but to negotiate as there is nothing more destructive than war».

The statement also informs about the long connection that IBBY has with Ukraine. It stresses that Ukraine has been an active member of IBBY since 1997, and IBBY itself participated several times in the Arsenal Book Festival in Kyiv.

«Our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues at IBBY Ukraine, at the Arsenal Book Festival—all of whom are working to bring children and books together», – the statement emphasizes.

In addition, it also mentions the IBBY Russia representatives.

«We must also remember our friends and colleagues at IBBY Russia in Moscow and in St Petersburg, as they struggle to process this tragic situation», – the statement says. 

They add that IBBY members worldwide deplore the current situation, and they hope that international humanitarian law can be re-established before there is more loss of life. 

Previously, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair voiced their support to the publishers, writers, and all those who work with books, in Ukraine.

The Federation of European Publishers also condemned Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine. 

Hero image: IBBY