Not a festival, but a reading. Without pomp, music, theater, but with the same deep meanings and content

For 13 years in a row, the arrival of autumn in Chernivtsi has been associated with literature, poetry readings, new books, meetings with favorite authors, music, and wine. Sometimes, poets and poets, writers from all over the world come to Chernivtsi for 3 days. Because every year in early September, the city is filled with the inspiration of the international poetry festival Meridian Czernowitz.

This year, the festival did not take place. Instead, there were international poetry readings. Due to the ongoing war, the organizers decided not to use the word "festival," as its Latin translation means "festive." Also, they made some changes to the event's format, eliminating performances, music, discos, and concerts. The number of event locations was reduced for safety reasons, and they were limited to a few spots on Olha Kobylianska St., which were within easy reach of a shelter where a stage was set up in case of an air alarm.

Both well-known Ukrainian authors and young poets came to Chernivtsi for the reading. There were also authors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Israel.

"The poets who came to us to read poetry during the war and the readers who are ready to listen to poetry during the war are also a resource. Although of a different kind. Poetry cannot resurrect the dead, but as long as poetry is recited, the resource of hope will not run out," said Sviatoslav Pomerantsev, president of the festival, in his speech.

In addition to the poetry readings, new publications were presented at the event. Irena Karpa came to Chernivtsi with her new book "Тільки нікому про це не кажи" ("Only Don't Tell Anyone About It"), Liuba Kopot presented her poetry collection "Сама собі" ("To Myself"), and Andrii Liubka introduced his essay collection "Щось зі мною не так" ("Something's Not Right with Me"). The works for the book were gathered in the fall of 2021. Liubka refers to the texts included in the collection as "ultrashort prose," as each one is 3-5 pages long.

The book contains travel texts, lyrical texts about personal joys of life, literature, cemeteries, and bazaars, as they are the author's favorite places in the cities.

Katerina Kalitko presented her new poetry collection "People with Verbs," which was published by "Meridian Czernowitz" publishing house. The majority of poems in this book are about the war. The cover features the painting "Dragon" by artist Ilona Silvashi. By the way, visitors had the opportunity to see this artwork as well, as the organizers of the readings opened a fascinating exhibition titled "Paintings that Became Books" at the "Vernissage" Cultural Center.

The exhibition features paintings and graphics that illustrate the books published by "Meridian Czernowitz." Among them are original artworks by Kateryna Kosianenko, Matvii Vaisberh, Olena Pryduvalova, and graphics by Oleksandr Roitburd. These artworks have become the cover illustrations for books by Katerina Kalitko, Andrii Lyubka, Serhii Zhadan, Taras Prokhasko, and Yurii Andrukhovych.

Among the interesting and even unexpected events was "Meridian Czernowitz Books & Jewellery." It was a pre-show presentation of their own jewelry creations dedicated to books. The first collection was dedicated to the works of the writer and one of the founders of the literary corporation, Ihor Pomerantsev, and his book "Пізній збір" ("Late Harvest").

The most painful topic for every Ukrainian - the theme of war - was the red thread that ran through the three days of readings in Chernivtsi. It was talked about, read, and listened to. Discussions, presentations, and "Dialogues about War" were held on this topic.

"I have a feeling that the landscape of poetry is changing before my eyes. The landscape of contemporary poetry, which is now being written, or not being written. I feel the silence of the poets. But the landscape of poetry that once troubled me, disturbed me, is also changing. And I feel that I am reading with different eyes," shared writer Ihor Pomerantsev his thoughts on the matter.

During the readings, donations were collected for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including on the bank cards of writer-volunteers Serhii Zhadan and Andrii Lyubka. The organizers declared that the readings were held with the support of and thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Throughout the three days, while the readings were taking place, there was no air raid alarm. This is a great merit of those people who made it possible for us to be here in Chernivtsi, and thanks to whom we were able to listen to literature. We thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for this," summarized festival director Yevheniia Lopata.