A local woman has raised more than £400 for the Ukrainian publishing industry after a key printing facility in Kharkiv was destroyed in a Russian bombing raid in May. The attack on the Faktor-Druk complex, which produces over 30% of Ukraine’s books, resulted in the deaths of seven employees, injuries to 22 others and the destruction of over 100,000 books.
Ruth Windle, a long-time supporter of Ukraine and a friend of Frome’s Hunting Raven Bookshop, organised a Ukrainian book event at the shop in August to coincide with Ukrainian Independence Day. At the event, Ruth displayed a wide selection of Ukrainian literature, including novels, poetry, and historical works, sourced through Hunting Raven for attendees to explore and discuss with her.
A few days before the event, Ruth received a call from Anna Shevchenko, a Ukrainian author living in London who works in international crisis communications. Anna had learned about the event from Iryna Ladyzhenska, a volunteer at Frome Town Council’s Welcome Hub, which supports refugees in the town. Anna asked Ruth if she would be willing to sell her book, Around the War in Twenty Stories, at the event to help raise funds for the rebuilding of the Faktor-Druk printing facility.
“I jumped at the opportunity, and 20 books duly arrived in the post,” said Ruth. “Anna gathered the stories in her book from conversations she had with refugees and evacuees while working in Ukraine. The damage done to the Faktor-Druk complex is devastating, not only to the Ukrainian book industry but to the country as a whole, given that it also produces school books. The total damage is estimated at around €5million, and I felt it was only right to try and help in some small way.”
During the event, Ruth sold 12 copies of the book, with attendees also contributing donations. She sold the remaining eight books in the days that followed, raising over £400, which was sent to Anna to be added to her other fundraising efforts. In total, more than £1,000 has now been sent to support the rebuilding of the Faktor-Druk complex.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the outcome,” said Ruth. “Selling all 20 books was beyond my wildest dreams. A huge thank you to everyone in Frome who helped make this possible. But never underestimate Frome when people are in need!”
