Prague to Present Book ‘Surviving in Hostomel: 21 Stories from a Hero City’
On September 19 at 18:00, Prague will host the presentation of a documentary book by journalist Kseniia Dvornikova, head of the Communications Department of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, titled “Surviving in Hostomel: 21 Stories from a Hero City.” The book’s first presentation abroad carries symbolic significance, as Hostomel and the Prague district of Řeporyje are twin cities.
“Surviving in Hostomel: 21 Stories from a Hero City” is a documentary publication that brings together the testimonies of Hostomel residents and those from surrounding areas who lived through the Russian occupation in February–March 2022. These are stories about the days when Hostomel became one of the symbols of resistance to Russian aggression. Among the book’s protagonists are servicemen and civilians, medics and volunteers, people who, after what they endured, were forced to leave their homes and became refugees.
“For me, it’s important that the stories of people from Hostomel are heard not only in Ukraine, because millions of Ukrainians live abroad, including those who were forced to leave their homes because of the war and still cannot return home. Through the stories of the book’s protagonists, I want to remind people that behind the words ‘war,’ ‘occupation,’ or ‘refugees’ stand specific human fates. And at the same time, I want to emphasize that support for Ukraine has an extremely concrete meaning for those who try every day to recover from what they have endured,” says the book’s author Kseniia Dvornikova.
The presentation will take place as part of a series of events under the educational program “Koreni ta Kryla” (Roots and Wings): A History That Unites supported by the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation and the Ukrainian Institute in Prague.
“The history of war is made up not only of dates and major events — above all, it is made up of the stories of specific people. The book gives an opportunity to hear their voices beyond Ukraine’s borders. It is important for us to amplify their voices, thereby building understanding and strengthening support for our struggle against Russian aggression,” says Program Director of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation Yaryna Yasynievych.
The event will be held in Ukrainian.
Venue: Senovážné náměstí 977/24, Praha, Česká republika
Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 18:00
Kseniia Dvornikova is a journalist, host on Ukrainian Radio, Head of the Communications Department of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, and author of books about the experience of war, “Surviving in Hostomel: 21 Stories from a Hero City” and “Artists at War: Stories of Art and Choice.”
In 2022, as part of the team of the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity, following the de-occupation of Hostomel, she helped collect materials and exhibits documenting the Russian occupation.
We look forward to everyone who wants to hear the living stories of people who survived the occupation, learn more about Hostomel, and discuss how to preserve the memory of the Russian-Ukrainian war — through the voices of those who became its direct witnesses.
Admission is free, but we kindly ask you to register in advance via the link: https://forms.gle/fdjjP9NrHfGyvWhh9
