The Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland Olga Dibrova visited the Lahti Main Library on Thursday, January 30th, for the donation event of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project. The event celebrated the donation of Ukrainian books to the Lahti library network.
The book donation was received by Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen and Library Services Director Salla Palmi-Felin. The event also featured a musical performance by Ukrainian students from Kirkonkylä School.
The Ukrainian Bookshelf project was initiated by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. Through this project, over 200 bookshelves have been established in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
The project is part of an initiative by Olena Zelenska and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at distributing Ukrainian literature to libraries worldwide.
– Literature and reading provide us with experiences, skills, and knowledge. Our roots live in and through culture. It is a pleasure and an honor to receive this book donation and offer our residents the opportunity to explore Ukrainian literature, says Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen.
With the donation, over 40 new Ukrainian books are available for loan in Lahti libraries. The collection mainly consists of children’s and young adult literature, but also includes adult literature. It features both fiction and non-fiction books, as well as classics of Ukrainian literature and poetry. Additionally, the collection includes some works from the Ukrainian primary school literature curriculum. The Lastu library collections have 350 Ukrainian books available for loan.
– We have strived to serve our Ukrainian-speaking customers comprehensively and meet their needs. This book donation supports us in this work, and we are very grateful for it, says Library Services Director Salla Palmi-Felin.
Additional information:
Salla Palmi-Felin
Director of Library Services salla.palmi-felin@lahti.fi / tel. 050 559 4098
International House Lahti
ihl@lahti.fi
