The Ukrainian Institute, an institution representing Ukrainian culture internationally, has passed on a collection of surviving books from a printing house in Ukraine to the University of Cambridge.

The books will be placed in the Cambridge University Library, expanding its Slavic collection.

The Factor-Druk printing house where the books were held was heavily shelled by Russian missiles during an attack on Kharkiv on 23 May, 2024. Seven civilian workers were killed in the attack and more than 50,000 books were destroyed.

The printing house claimed to produce a third of Ukraine’s books, and 10% of its newspapers.

The books show heavily charred and singed edges following the attack, with Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of The Ukrainian Institute, stating that “Books, even when damaged, continue to tell their stories”.

In a statement on Facebook shortly after the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it showed how “Russia is at war with humanity and all aspects of normal life”.

In their announcement on Facebook, the Institute said that these surviving books, now in Cambridge, symbolise “the resilience of Ukrainian culture … despite attempts to destroy it”.

The post also highlighted the prestigious nature of the books, which had been previously presented at an international conference in Washington DC attended by the Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska.

The handover of the books comes as the University continues to offer support for those affected by the war in Ukraine. Last year they provided free clinical training to 21 medical students from Kharkiv University, alongside research grants and a student hardship fund for current students.

The books will now be in the care of Mel Bach, the member of staff in charge of the Cambridge University Library’s Slavonic Collection.