‘Literature is also a weapon’: Ukrainian writer wins prestigious award in Italy

Ukrainian writer Yaryna Hrusha has been awarded one of Italy’s most prestigious literary prizes — the Viareggio-Versilia International Prize, which forms part of the prestigious Viareggio-Répaci Prize. The award ceremony took place in the seaside town of Viareggio on the Tyrrhenian coast. Over the years, this international award has been presented to outstanding figures in the world of culture, including Nobel Prize winner Günter Grass and the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. This year, the jury honoured Yaryna Hrusha ‘for her significant contribution to the dissemination and promotion of Ukrainian culture in Italy and Europe, as well as for her literary work, which combines memory, identity and civic testimony’. Special mention was made of her novel *The Blue Photo Album*, which explores themes of memory, personal stories and the search for identity. During the ceremony, the writer thanked the award’s president, Paolo Mieli, the members of the jury, the Bompiani publishing house and the editor, Giulia Ikino. In her speech, she emphasised the symbolic significance of receiving the award in Viareggio — the town where the world-famous Ukrainian opera singer Solomiya Krushelnytska lived from 1915 to 1939. “Being here today means that, despite all attempts to destroy, erase and silence it, Ukrainian culture has survived thanks to courageous people,” noted Yaryna Hrusha. The writer dedicated her award to Ukrainian authors who died during the war, to those who were forced to take up arms instead of a pen, and to those who continue to fight with words. “Literature is also a weapon,” she concluded, ending her speech with the words: “Glory to Ukraine!” The Viareggio-Rèpaci Prize, established in 1929, is considered one of Italy’s most prestigious literary awards. It is awarded annually for outstanding achievements in prose, poetry, essay writing, journalism, literary debuts and international cultural activities. Yaryna Hrusha was born in Ukraine. She graduated from the Faculty of Philology, specialising in literary studies and translation. For many years, she has been working at the intersection of Ukrainian and Italian cultures, engaging in translation, literary projects and cultural diplomacy.