Seeing how Russia destroys libraries in Chernihiv City

The Russians destroyed libraries as libraries represent freedom. Freedom of ideas, freedom of reading, of communication and of that unquestionable right to self-education. Libraries also represent the preservation and celebration of culture and national identity through time. Seeing burnt books and bombed-out libraries is a haunting reminder of how precious these freedoms are and why we must do all that we can to support our Ukrainian friends in their hour of need.

At Kent With Ukraine we are proud to be working with City Councillor Юлія Дарницька and the Regional Administration on how we can support Chernihiv's process of library restoration and how we can work in partnership to ensure that Chernihiv's Libraries have access to English language books and other donated educational and learning resources to support future generations.

Since December 2023, and with huge thanks to the Gravesend community we have delivered over 300 books, arts and crafts supplies (with thanks to Gravesend Art Group) and learning resources to Chernihiv, with hundreds more to follow over the next few months.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this work so far and please get in touch if you have any ideas or ways that you could support our future endeavours here.