The project "Ukrainian Bookshelf" under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska has started at the National Library of Austria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements it, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy and the Ukrainian Book Institute.

The project was planned before the beginning of the Russian aggression and provided for distributing of Ukrainian literature in the original and translations in the world's top libraries. This would develop cultural ties between countries and promote Ukrainian literature worldwide. According to pre-war plans, the project was supposed to start in March, but its implementation was delayed for some reason. Finally, work on the project resumed.

During the meeting of the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Austria Vasyl Khiminets with the Director of the National Library of Austria, Johanna Rachinger, an agreement was reached on the development and expansion of the Ukrainian segment of the institution: the library is ready to cooperate with Ukrainian publishers and buy books. Vasyl Khiminets provided a list of such publishers for further cooperation.

In addition, a presentation of Lina Kostenko's poems translated into German was held in the library the day before. The event was timed to the 92nd anniversary of the poetess, which she celebrated on March 19.

The library administration informs that visiting the book collection and its museums is free for Ukrainians.

First Lady Olena Zelenska stressed the importance of the project during the war.

"Even under fire, we want to think not only about survival but also about books, about creativity - about everything that saves us from the chaos of war and destruction and gives spiritual strength. Thank you, Austrian friends. By protecting our literature, you are saving Ukraine in this way. After all, in a sense, we are all that we read," said the President's wife.