‘Unwritten’ project: At least 194 literary figures killed in Russia’s war on Ukraine

A new project, ‘Unwritten,’ launched on Ukraine’s Defenders Day, has identified 194 literary figures killed in Russia’s ongoing aggression.

The initiative, announced on social media, aims to preserve the legacy of Ukrainian writers and literary workers whose lives were claimed by the conflict.

Creators Yevhen Lir, a soldier, volunteer, writer and translator, and Olena Herasymiuk, a paramedic with the volunteer medical battalion ‘Hospitallers’ and poet, have collected stories and memories of the deceased authors. 

‘Unwritten’ seeks to honor each victim and prevent their contributions to Ukrainian culture from being forgotten. The list includes renowned writers Hlib Babich, Victoria Amelina, Vasyl Palamarchuk, and Volodymyr Vakulenko, as well as lesser-known authors. “We strive to preserve the memory of each one,” said Yevhen Lir. “These individuals are part of our cultural heritage, and each deserves to be honored.”

The ‘Unwritten’ initiative gathers information on literary figures killed in the Russia-Ukraine war through news outlets, social media, and search engines.

“When a literary figure dies, we often learn about it immediately through news and social networks,” said Lir. “However, some cases require deeper research.”

Local posthumous publications often bring forgotten authors to light. For instance, Nazar Shtakheta, a technical editor at “Nash Format” publishing house, contributed to over 65 books in three years. 

Names can be suggested by commenting on this post or by messaging Yevhen Lir and Olena Herasymiuk via their Facebook and Twitter pages. 

“We welcome collaboration,” emphasized the organizers. “If you know of literary figures who died due to the war, we must remember them.”

The project aims to evolve into a memorial website and host events honoring the fallen literary figures.

Image: project’s page in X

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn