From now on, even more Ukrainians in Finland will be able to read Ukrainian, and the residents of Finland will have the opportunity to learn more about Ukraine, our culture and learn the Ukrainian language by reading.

#Ukrainianbookshelf in Vantaa was opened by Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland Olga Dibrova, Vantaa City Mayor Pekka Timonen and Deputy Mayor Riikka Estrand, as well as library service manager Tikkurila Ville Karinen, library employees. This is already the fourth shelf with Ukrainian books in #Finland.

"Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed or damaged more than 700 libraries in Ukraine. If you include those located in schools and temporarily occupied territories, this number reaches several thousand. Despite this, Ukrainians continue to rebuild libraries, read in Ukrainian, and deepen their love for Ukrainian books. Olena Zelenska's 'Ukrainian Bookshelf' initiative is especially important because it provides Ukrainian children, who were forced to leave their homes and flee the war, with the opportunity to learn about the world in their native language while abroad," - Ambassador noted.

Olga Dibrova also noted the growing interest in Finland in learning the Ukrainian language and gaining deeper knowledge about Ukraine. Ambassador thanked the staff of the Tikkurila library for the proactive purchase of literature in Ukrainian and about Ukraine.

In the Tikkurila library, shelves with books in Ukrainian, books about Ukraine in English and Finnish can be found both in the main hall and in the children's literature department. In addition, readers will be able to order their delivery to any other library in the capital region of Finland. Part of the book collection was transferred to the library by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Finland and Iceland.

We sincerely thank the City Council of Vantaa and the staff of the Tikkurila library for their help in implementing the project.