For 10 years, Ukraїner has been telling stories about Ukraine. It all began with a single expedition and has grown into a sprawling organization with the aim to amplify Ukrainian voices. The first edition of this book was published in 2019. The print run sold out in a flash, followed by another, and another, and another. Seven years have since passed, but even today, when people ask for a book recommendation as a gift that tells about Ukraine, they quite often name Ukraїner. Країна зсередини. Over the years, foreign-language versions have been published in the UK, Japan, and Germany, and we have produced English and Crimean Tatar editions ourselves.
Back then, in 2019, we had only a few months from the birth of the idea to its realization. We gathered materials for the book and wrote it at night, selecting stories from a vast number of expedition shoots. Over the course of five years, many of these stories have changed: some lost their relevance, while others, conversely, have gained additional meaning. The present wartime context has been added to a number of stories, which you can read about in this updated edition. We have also included a few stories from that same 2019 that didn’t make it into the book during the initial selection, but which remain relevant today.
Gradually, Ukraїner. Країна зсередини evolved from a single publication into a series based on stories that continue to showcase the diversity and underappreciated nature of Ukraine, not only to the outside world but to ourselves. On the eve of Ukraїner’s 10th anniversary, we want to share this joy with you, which is why we have prepared a limited edition of this beloved book with a new cover. This photo was taken at Yahorlyk Bay near the Kinburn Spit before the full-scale invasion. Today, these places are under occupation. The endpapers feature the signatures of those who have created and continue to create Ukraїner. Let Ukraїner. Країна зсередини win over many more hearts and reveal the beauty of our country to many more people.
Reviews
“It was a very nice and peaceful morning. We went to Yahorlyk Bay, where Roman (the hero of the story) told us how he got into kitesurfing. I felt inspired then by his choice to combine his hobby and work — to find that balance, just like with a kite.
— Kateryna Akvarelna, photographer, author of the cover photo
Now, this photo and this story mean even more to me (and, I think, to all of us), as the region is under occupation. But I am happy that our team and I managed to visit and capture the reality of that time exactly as it was.”
