On 28 May 2025, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, officially opened the “Ukrainian Bookshelf” at the National Library of South Africa (NLSA).

The event was held within the framework of the “Ukrainian Bookshelf” project, which is implemented under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

During the ceremony, a curated collection of books was formally handed over to the Library for permanent public use, offering South African readers — and the Ukrainian community alike — the opportunity to explore Ukrainian literature, language, and history in both Ukrainian and English.

The collection features children’s stories, fiction, academic publications, and works on Ukraine’s modern cultural and political identity. It represents not only a cultural initiative but also a tribute to the historic and evolving ties between Ukraine and the African continent, based on shared experiences of striving for freedom and dignity.

The Ukrainian Bookshelf is now part of the permanent collection of the main branch of the National Library — one of South Africa’s premier cultural and educational institutions.

This symbolic gesture reflects Ukraine’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, mutual understanding, and long-term educational cooperation between our nations.

 We invite all interested visitors to explore the Ukrainian Bookshelf, connect with Ukrainian culture, and discover our nation through the pages of its literature. We are thankfull to the Ukrainian Association of South Africa Українська Асоціація в ПАР and Kateryna Yuschenko for their generous donation of the books.