Olena Stiazhkina

Ukrainian historian, PhD in history, Professor of History, Leading Research Fellow at the Department of Ukrainian History in the second half of the XX century (National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine). She is also a Ukrainian writer, member of the Ukrainian PEN. Before Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014 lived in Donetsk. After fleeing occupation, she founded a nonprofit called Deoccupation. Homecoming. Education. Research interests: soviet history, women’s history, history of WW2.

Mother of 4 children, including a child with disabilities. Head of public organizations «Social Synergy» and «Family for Persons with Disabilities». As an expert, I cooperate with key governmental authorities and international partners in the field of social policy and inclusion, as well as with local self-government bodies and public initiatives.

Vitalina was born and lives in Volodymyr, Volyn region. Studied in Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Ukrainian Academy of Printing. She works as a writer, journalist and editor, also writes book reviews for Chytomo and BaraBooka. Writes YA short stories and books for teenagers. Her «Кеди в небі/Sneakers in the Sky« book was awarded as a «Debut of the year«.

Oksana Zabuzhko (b. 1960) authors over twenty books, and is internationally known with her novels Field Work in Ukrainian Sex (1996), and The Museum of Abandoned Secrets (2010). She graduated from the Dept. of philosophy of Kyiv Shevchenko University and made doctorate in philosophy of arts. Her books were translated into 23 languages, and won her many awards: Angelus Central European Literary Prize, the Ukraine’s Shevchenko National Prize, French National Order of the Legion of Honor, et al.

Writer, linguist, editor-in-chief of the magazine for children «Krylati».

Human rights activist, writer, author of more than 20 books for adults and children. Co-founder of the Association of Women Lawyers JurFem, member of the Executive Board of PEN Ukraine, member of the Board of the Center for Civil Liberties.