What's at stake when a country's cultural heritage and structures are threatened with destruction?

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, hundreds of libraries have been damaged or completely destroyed by invading forces, equaling close to 40 % of all damage to the country's cultural heritage infrastructure. In the face of these intentional attacks, the Ukrainian librarian community mobilized and transformed themselves into "warrior librarians," working tirelessly to preserve artifacts, national treasures, state archives and priceless manuscripts to protect Ukrainian national identity and Slavic history.

In this compelling discussion, Valentyna Pashkovam, Ukrainian Library Association (ULA) founder, Oksana Brui, ULA president and Yaroslava Soshynska, ULA executive director, discuss the staggering task of protecting Ukrainian libraries. Moderated by author and cultural commentator Stephen Marche.

What's at stake when libraries are one of the first targets of falling bombs? Why are these seemingly harmless spaces even targeted in the first place? And what can we do to ensure that all libraries prevail in the face of war and conflict?

This event is part of our new series exploring what’s at stake when intellectual freedom is threatened.

Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca

The Warrior Librarians of Ukraine: The ongoing fight to safeguard libraries as keepers of national memory