The reading will include Vakulenko’s poems and his war diary, which were recently published in German under the title ‘Ich verwandle mich’ (mauke, 2024) in a German translation by Beatrix Kersten. Beatrix Kersten will present selected texts. Afterwards, Vitalina Buran, project manager of the Ukrainian Institute in Germany, will talk to her about the author’s life, work and legacy.

Volodymyr Vakulenko (born in Kapytolivka in 1972) was the author of thirteen books, including award-winning children’s books. His poetry is deeply rooted in the collective memory of Ukrainian society. He was an active supporter of the Euromaidan protests and, following the occupation of Crimea, volunteered to support the Ukrainian troops in the eastern regions of Ukraine.

In 2022, Vakulenko was abducted and murdered by the Russian occupation troops. His body was found months later in a mass grave in the forest of Izium and identified by DNA analysis. Shortly before his murder, he wrote a handwritten diary, which he buried under a cherry tree in his garden. His last words to his father were: ‘When ours come – give it to them.’

The diary was later found by the Ukrainian writer Viktoria Amelina, who was herself killed in a Russian rocket attack in July 2023.

The book ‘Ich verwandle mich’ combines a large selection of Vakulenko’s poems with the moving document of his last days – a literary and human testimony of great power and significance.

When: 8 April, 7.30 pm
Where: Haus für Poesie, Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97, 10435 Berlin
Admission: €8 / concessions €5