About

The Ukrainian Book Challenge is a simple yet powerful annual call to action launched by the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI) together with partner organizations in 2025. Its mission is to amplify Ukrainian voices in English and ensure that translators, editors, and publishers can continue bringing Ukraine’s literature, history, and culture to global readers.

At its heart, the challenge asks each participant to do one small thing: buy one book in English about Ukraine or by a Ukrainian author—once a year. 

Affordable price for each title makes this act of solidarity more accessible to a wider community. Moreover, you don’t need to read the book right away. Simply, you can donate it to a library, gift it to a friend, or place it proudly on your shelf. 

Why It Matters

Publishing Ukrainian books in English remains challenging because translations are expensive, niche markets are unpredictable, and publishers face real financial risks when introducing Ukrainian voices to English-speaking audiences. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, global interest in Ukraine has increased, but maintaining that interest requires visible demand. 

The Ukrainian Book Challenge goal is to put Ukrainian literature and scholarship in English into everyday circulation, reminding the world that translation is an act of preservation, and keeping alive voices, messages, and history of Ukraine.

How to Participate

  1. Buy one book in English about or from Ukraine.
  2. Take a photo with your chosen book.
  3. Tag five friends to join the challenge.
  4. Share your post on social media with #UkrainianBookChallenge and tag HURI Books.

That’s it: one book, one post, one act of solidarity.

Partnerships and Outreach

Through collaboration, the Ukrainian Book Challenge expands visibility for every press publishing Ukrainian work. Our outreach initiatives include:

  • Sharing the challenge widely on social media with #UkrainianBookChallenge while spotlighting publishers.
  • Cultivating a broad network of partners—publishers, public intellectuals, celebrities, Ukrainian community organizations, media outlets, and more.
  • Hosting curated reading lists, community picks, and featured titles on the campaign website.
  • Linking books directly to publishers’ URLs to maximize sales revenue and enable exclusive discounts.
  • Coordinating joint media and influencer outreach to amplify impact.
  • Maintaining the website as the campaign hub with rotating “book picks” and analytics to track coverage for each publisher individually.

Together, we can ensure Ukrainian stories are not only told but heard. The Ukrainian Book Challenge is more than a campaign—it is a movement of readers, communities, and partners who believe that every book purchased is a step toward preserving Ukraine’s culture in translation. Join us, and let your bookshelf become part of a global chorus of solidarity.