Espreso. Global

Iron Widow author Xiran Jay Zhao calls for donations to support Ukraine

3 June, 2024 Monday
16:48

Canadian writer Xiran Jay Zhao, whose novel's Ukrainian translation was published in the Factor Druk Printing House destroyed by Russian troops, called for support for Ukraine

client/title.list_title

Xiran Jay Zhao shared this message on Instagram.

Xiran Jay Zhao, the Canadian-Chinese author of the New York Times bestseller Iron Widow, recorded a video about the Ukrainian translation of her book. The Kharkiv-based Vivat publishing house released the Ukrainian version, printed at the Faktor Druk Printing House, which was destroyed by a Russian missile on May 23.

Subscribers asked Zhao to discuss the Ukrainian edition. She mentioned that there’s an interesting backstory. Initially, Zhao's publisher negotiated with Ukrainian publishers without much hope, given Ukraine's wartime situation. However, after some time, Vivat representatives returned, ready to purchase Iron Widow.

"I think this just goes to show the resilience of the Ukrainian people, they are not going to let this Russian aggression stop them from living their lives or spreading their culture, and I am so honored to have my book in the Ukrainian language. Russia will not erase it no matter how hard they try," said the author.

She explained that her video was recorded before May 23, when Russia bombed the Factor Druk Printing House. Xiran Jay Zhao, with an international audience, listed on her Instagram the 7 printing press workers killed by Russia: printer-sealer Tetyana Khrapina, gluing machine operator Roman Strohyi, booklet maker Svitlana Ryzhenko, sewing machine operators Olha Kurasova and Olena Ninadovska, assembly operator Anna Mynaieva, and brochure maker Dmytro Shylo.

"Kharkiv, the city the facility was located in, is being shelled daily and the situation is brutal. On May 25 they also hit a market and killed at least 18 people. There's so much aid that should be going to Ukraine that's going ELSEWHERE. To help, you can donate to Ukraine's official fundraising platform @u24.gov.ua or @novaukraine specifically for humanitarian relief," the author added.

Xiran Jay Zhao also showed a burnt copy of Iron Widow.

Iron Widow is a 2021 science fiction novel about eighteen-year-old Wu Zetian, who decides to avenge her sister's death and joins the army against space invaders.

Russian attack on typography in Kharkiv

On Thursday, May 23, Russia launched a missile attack on Kharkiv, hitting the Faktor Druk Printing House, one of the largest in Europe. This facility prints books for almost all Ukrainian publishing houses. The strike resulted in 7 deaths and 21 injuries. On May 25, the Vivat publishing house released the names of the seven individuals who died in the attack.

Faktor Druk Printing House is part of the Faktor group, which also includes Vivat Publishing House and Vivat Bookstores. The printing house also produced books for other publishers, including the Family Leisure Club Publishing House.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that 50,000 books were destroyed in the attack. Serhiy Polituchyi, owner of Faktor Druk, stated that the strike will reduce the industry's capacity by 40%.

On May 27, Vivat Publishing House published a list of books destroyed in the attack.

On May 31, it was announced that the foundation of American billionaire and philanthropist Howard Buffett will help restore the printing house destroyed in the May 23 strike.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Monday
7 October
18:05
What sets Dutch F-16s apart as they join Ukraine’s Air Force?
17:48
Russia attacks Ukrainian seaport, damaging civilian ship
17:30
Ukraine won't extend gas transit from Russia, says PM Shmyhal
17:14
Ukraine integrates NATO gender equality standards into Armed Forces
16:55
Ukraine’s 3rd Brigade retakes positions in Kharkiv region, frees captive Ukrainian soldiers
16:36
Russian losses in Ukraine war reach record levels in September — UK intelligence
16:16
Fico says Slovakia is “cool” towards Ukraine's NATO membership
15:54
Ukrainian hackers attack Kremlin's state TV broadcasters
15:30
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine with guided bombs, explosions leave 20 injured, including 2 children
15:16
Russia charges 14 foreign journalists for illegal border crossings
14:55
Exclusive
Can F-16s counter Russian guided bomb launches: aviation expert explains
14:35
Infographics
Bomb to long-range weapon: what are AGM-154 JSOWs and why they are important for Ukraine
13:57
Ukraine stuck in limbo as results of Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit remain unclear
13:35
Russia seeks to foster acceptance of Putin among Italians
13:16
Exclusive
Ukraine's population totals 35.8 million as of July 2024 — government
12:58
Exclusive
Only destroyed cars and houses left: volunteer on evacuation from Kurakhove sector
12:39
Exclusive
Russia's next move: Focus on Kurakhove – military expert Zgurets
12:18
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine with UAVs and missiles: Kinzhal missile fragments fall in Kyiv
11:48
SU30Leaks saga continues: Thales responds openly, Safran dodges specific questions
11:17
OPINION
The West - Russia: wishful thinking
10:59
Google bans African Stream media over possible Russian ties
10:15
Russian intelligence recruited Irish MP as propaganda agent
09:56
Russia loses 14 tanks, 64 artillery systems and 1,160 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine
09:40
Ukrainian Defense Forces strike oil terminal in Russian-occupied Feodosia
2024, Sunday
6 October
22:15
Interview
Russian elite still has a choice, but Putin does not - Feygin
21:46
Poland's army chief says country needs to boost its army
21:19
Russia drops three guided bombs on Kostiantynivka, killing one and injuring several
20:55
Taiwan weighs abandoning submarine fleet in favor of Ukraine's drone strategy
20:21
NATO lacks 49 brigades, needs force four times Germany's army to meet minimum standards
19:56
Russian soldiers shoot three Ukrainian prisoners of war at close range in New York village
19:38
Russian attack on Kramatorsk outskirts injures at least 4 people, including child
19:20
2017 meeting with Putin helps explain roots of Trump’s attitude to Ukraine - media
18:57
Exclusive
Month after Russia's missile attack: what houses on Konovalets Street, Lviv look like. Photo report
18:23
Trump's suspicion that Zelenskyy backs the Democrats resurfaces in the presidential campaign
17:56
Russia fires 20 missiles, 800+ guided bombs, up to 400 drones at Ukraine in one week
17:23
Artifacts Russian forces stole from Ukraine surface on the international black market
16:58
OPINION
Russia's shadow fleet: today's sanctions fall short
16:25
Zelenskyy, Syrskyi congratulate military on Ukraine's Territorial Defense Day
15:55
Russian opposition activist Dadin is killed fighting for Ukraine – reports
15:27
OPINION
Moldova's choice: will Russia's Trojan horses win?
More news