LONDON.- Thames & Hudson has partnered with renowned art historians, critics and curators to create a compelling account of Ukraine’s history told through its most important works of art and architectural landmarks, with all proceeds donated to PEN Ukraine to help local authors in need.

Following reports of continuing looting and destruction of Ukraine’s artworks and monuments, Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation’s Cultural History shines a light on the country’s rich cultural heritage. With a foreword by Andrey Kurkov, author of Death and the Penguin and President of PEN Ukraine, this generously illustrated volume explores key periods of Ukraine’s history, from the ancient cultures of Trypillia and Scythia to the early states of Kyivan Rus and the Cossack Hetmanate, through to the Orange Revolution of 2004 and its aftermath.

Sophy Thompson, T&H’s CEO and Publisher, says: ‘Ukraine’s art and architecture provide a perfect framework for understanding the country’s complex cultural identity and often tumultuous history. We are honoured to be working with a team of leading Ukrainian scholars on this new book; and we are proud to support PEN Ukraine and their endeavours to alert the world to the senseless cultural devastation currently being inflicted on their homeland.’

Andrey Kurkov adds: ‘Russia is waging war not only for the territory of Ukraine, but also against Ukrainian culture, against Ukrainian identity. Until now very little was known about the culture, but it is ancient and rich, and tells a great deal about the country’s history and its people.’

Revealing a wide range of cultural riches, from Byzantine icons and wooden churches to folk art and avant-garde masterpieces, Treasures of Ukraine reminds us that art and monuments represent powerful sources of collective memory and identity.

Treasures of Ukraine will be published on 15 September 2022.

Contributors:

Andrey Kurkov is Ukraine’s most acclaimed living novelist, public commentator and President of PEN Ukraine. He is the author of 19 novels, including the bestselling Death and the Penguin.

Andriy Puchkov is a specialist in Ukrainian architecture and author of more than two dozen monographs.

Christian A. Raffensperger is professor of history and department chair at Wittenberg University, USA.

Maksym Yaremenko is Chair of History at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine.

Diana Klochko is a prominent art historian and author of 65 Masterpieces of Ukrainian Art.

Alisa Lozhkina is a specialist in 19th- and 20th-century art.

Myroslava Mudrak is an expert in the unfolding of Modernism in Eastern Europe.

Alexandr Soloviev is a leading art critic and a local expert in contemporary art.

Victoria Burlaka also specializes in contemporary art.