On December 4, 2025, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine, Andrejs Pildegovichs, visited the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine to familiarize himself with its activities and to present a book published in Latvia by a Ukrainian soldier. The guest was welcomed by the Library's General Director, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine Liubov Dubrovinа, the Library's International Activities Coordinator, Senior Researcher of the Department of International Information and Foreign Relations, Candidate of Historical Sciences Liudmyla Dem’ianyuk, and the Acting Head of this Department, Lesia Filimonchuk.
Greeting the distinguished guest, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine Liubov Dubrovinа called his visit to the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine extremely important, as the institution’s ties with Latvian colleagues have a long history. According to her, these relationships have always been fruitful and professional, characterized by collegial and human understanding and a desire to exchange useful experience.
Mr. Andrejs Pildegovichs attentively examined the Library’s hall and its "calling card" – the large monumental decorative panel "The Pain of the Earth" by artists Volodymyr Pasyvenko and Volodymyr Pryadko. The diplomat also noted the architectural uniqueness of the ramp and the artistic perfection and educational significance of the tapestry triptych "Origins of Slavic Writing," woven by masters Maria and Ihor Lytovchenko using hand-weaving techniques specifically for the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine building on Holosiivskyi Avenue. As is known, the Library holds the world's largest collection of Slavic studies funds. The exhibits of the Fund of Presidents of Ukraine also made a great impression on the guest. He paid special attention to the gifts to the heads of Ukraine from Latvia and left a note in the Book of Honorary Guests of the Fund of Presidents of Ukraine.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine, Andrejs Pildegovichs, presented to the General Director of the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine Liubov Dubrovinа, a book published in Latvia (at the expense of the municipality of the small city of Ogre) by Oleksii Anuli titled "Jingle bell(Z)." This is the story of the Ukrainian soldier from Chernihiv, Oleksii Anuli, who was captured at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, spent 130 days in a Russian punishment cell, and almost a year in total imprisonment. According to the Ambassador, this book contains descriptions of inhuman abuse and torture and, in his opinion, is material for the Hague Tribunal. The book has already had several presentations and will also be published in Ukrainian and other languages.
The diplomat emphasized that Latvia is very sensitive to the tragedy of the Ukrainian people suffering from the Russian military invasion. But it does not merely sympathize; it provides Ukraine with concrete and ongoing assistance – military and financial. In particular, it supports the Chernihiv region specifically: hospitals, schools, energy, and other infrastructure facilities. As Mr. Andrejs Pildegovichs noted, Ukraine is supported not only by the Latvian state but also by the Latvian people themselves, who collect and transfer funds for the needs of Ukrainians. Additionally, Latvia takes care of the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers, as well as the health improvement of young Ukrainians.
The General Director of the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine Liubov Dubrovinа, expressed deep gratitude to the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine, Andrejs Pildegovichs, and through him to the entire Republic of Latvia and its citizens for their sincere solidarity and great assistance.
The scholar told the guest about the Library’s activities as a research, information, and cultural-educational center of Ukraine and about the work of individual departments of the institution. She described the significant and extremely valuable historical heritage preserved in the Library’s collections, emphasizing the considerable support and assistance of foreign colleagues and international organizations to Ukraine during the difficult time of Russian aggression. The participants of the meeting also discussed digitization opportunities for the maximum preservation of valuable library collections.
Mr. Andrejs Pildegovichs expressed confidence that the business contacts of the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine with colleagues from the National Library of Latvia will become even more productive, as he knows that there is a desire in Riga to actively cooperate and help the Ukrainian side as much as possible.
Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine Liubov Dubrovinа confirmed the Library’s readiness for even more active cooperation, emphasizing that for her institution, as well as for all of Ukraine, any attention and support are extremely important and necessary.
According to information from the V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
