Students and Academic Staff of the Physiology with the Basics of Bioethics and Biosafety Department Attended a Meeting with an Author from the Temporarily Occupied Kreminna

“When the Sirens Fall Silent” was the title of the meeting and presentation by Hanna Haivoronska, a poet from the temporarily occupied Kreminna in Luhansk region. Recently, at the Central City Library, she presented her new collection of poems, I Want to Go Home.

Hanna Haivoronska is a member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine and has been awarded the “Architect of Ukraine” medal, the Writers’ Union Jubilee medal, and regional honors. The talented writer has authored 12 poetry collections and two prose books. Holding a degree in journalism, Haivoronska took a bold stand against a law restricting the use of the Ukrainian language in eastern Ukraine. As a result, Ukrainian language content was almost entirely removed from the media in Luhansk. Despite struggling for funding, a literary and artistic newspaper she worked on managed to delight readers for seven years.

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, the poetess was forced to leave her home. However, memories of her peaceful, happy life – her native yard, the forest, her cat – remained. The invaders cruelly uprooted numerous images that had become part of her over the years. Thus, her poems were born.

At the event, guests were captivated by musical performances from well-known Ternopil musician and composer Ihor Vovchak and talented violinist Volodymyr Dovbnia. They performed instrumental works of world classics and soulful, incredibly lyrical songs based on Hanna Haivoronska’s poetry.

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Additionally, Associate Professor of the Physiology with the Basics of Bioethics and Biosafety Department and member of the National Unions of Writers and Journalists Natalia Volotovska thanked the students who read Hanna Haivoronska’s poems. At Haivoronska’s request, she performed a song in Latin, Os iusti.

Also congratulating the authors was renowned financier, economist, and well-known patron Mykhailo Homivka, who funded the publication. Noted poet, artist, and member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine, Honored Art Worker of Ukraine, and scientist Oleh Herman, who created beautiful illustrations for I Want to Go Home, was also present. Poet Halyna Navrotska charmed the audience with a poem of hope for a future reunion in Kreminna, Haivoronska’s hometown.