This book shares the remarkable and often challenging life journeys of nine Ukrainians from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, and one Austrian who chose to be Ukrainian. With their unwavering resilience and positive attitude, these individuals have transcended physical and mental barriers, leaving an indelible mark with the breadth of their vision and actions, inspiring the world. The book delves into the complex perception of the border as a historical entity that has always been a double-edged sword for Ukrainians: a constant threat, yet it has also provided opportunities—a space for communication, trade, and cultural exchanges.
This volume offers a unique and enthralling journey through the history of Ukraine and its vibrant culture, told through the lives of its extraordinary, yet often overlooked or completely unknown, individuals. The Ukrainian national character, defined by resilience, adaptability, and a profound love for nature, music, and visual arts, is celebrated here. By shining a light on these forgotten figures, readers will discover and appreciate their profound contributions to global culture, offering a fresh and insightful perspective.
Why is this needed today? With the Russo-Ukrainian War, we are observing global attempts to revive the thinking and behavior of the era of colonialism and the times of the Cold War. Through historical figures, the book tells a story about Ukrainian bravery, resilience, flexibility, and a positive attitude toward life. This helped them cope with difficulties and persistently pursue their dreams, contributing to their self-realization and world recognition. These stories are not just great examples of Ukrainian resilience; they are urgent reminders of the importance of understanding and appreciating Ukrainian history and culture in our current global context.

Dr Olga Khomenko is a CARA/British Academy Fellow at the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies at the University of Oxford, specializing in Japanese Studies and International History with a particular focus on Eastern Asia and Eastern Europe. She studied in Kyiv and Tokyo, worked at the Ukrainian News agency UNIAN as well as the Ukrainian Embassy in Tokyo, and taught at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv School of Economics as well as at Kyiv-Mohyla Business School. Khomenko was a Fulbright Scholar at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute and held fellowships of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Vienna University, and Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies. She is the author of Transnational history of Ukraine (Gunzosha 2024), The Far Away Sky of Kyiv: Ukrainians in the War (Chuo Koron Shinsha 2023) and From Ukraine with Love (Gunzosha 2014) as well as co-translator of A Short Anthology of Contemporary Ukrainian Literature (Gunzosha 2005).





Dr Zbigniew Wojnowski is Associate Professor of Soviet History at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford.