Photojournalists such as Alexander Glyadyelov, Evgeniy Maloletka, Julia Kochetova and Alena Grom, have extensively covered the Russo-Ukrainian War since its inception in 2014. The 13 visual essays in this book starts with the Russian invasion in 2022. The stories portray in image and in text a very personal reflection on the war.
“For me, writing a foreword for this book is to stare into the abyss of ‘appropriation’. I have been to many of the places that are mentioned, but I profoundly realize that I haven’t been anywhere at all. These stories are told by people who live where they work and work where they live, not by a temporary guest with a return ticket booked before arrival. The stories and testimonies in this book are not only photographs. They are beautiful, brutal, present, and personal – photographic adjectives, filled with content that is deeper and more relevant than most news photography can ever hope to be. But, perhaps most importantly, they are historical documents, visual evidence to be presented in a future where the fog of war has cleared, and justice once again prevails.”
Ukrainian Warchive has published its first book, “13 Stories of War”. This book brings together 13 visual essays by a diverse group of Ukrainian photographers and artists responding to the profound impact of full-scale war on their country and its people since the Russian invasion in February 2022. Moving beyond conventional narratives, these photographic testimonies are accompanied by insightful text, offering readers a nuanced and personal perspective that goes beyond typical media coverage. Delving into the themes of resilience, loss, and hope, the essays provide a vivid portrayal of the human experience amid conflict. This collection stands as a significant contribution, offering a thoughtful exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of war, inspiring empathy, and fostering a deeper understanding of the shared human experience in times of adversity.”All thirteen photographers live and work in Ukraine and are affected by Russian military aggression in the most direct way. When we came up with the idea of the ’13 Stories of War’ book with Misha Pedan, what we wanted was to bring this personal dimension to the photo stories that photographers not only created but also lived through. We aimed to tell the broader story of the Russo-Ukrainian war and the people who continue to live through these horrendous times. So, we decided to accompany the photographs with short texts, testimonies from the photographers. They vary in form and length, but they bring the rawness of the experience and feelings of immediacy to the photos. We hope this gives the readers some space to reflect and connect to the photographs and authors’ experiences as well”. – editor Emine Ziyatdinova
All the photographs are part of the collection of Ukrainian Warchive (Ukrainian Photo Archive of War), a digital archive that collects and preserves still images from professional photographers documenting the Russo-Ukrainian War. The project aims to safeguard the photographic heritage and memory of the war, supporting Ukrainian photographers documenting events in their country while promoting their work and unique vision.
