Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha took part in the ceremony of handing over the English edition of Mykhailo Hrushevsky's ‘History of Ukraine-Rus' to the National Library and Archives of Quebec (BAnQ) as part of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project in Canada by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. 

BAnQ is a government agency that manages a system of 12 national archives and the province's national library. The largest library in Quebec serves about 15 million online users and receives more than 1.5 million visitors annually. 

The Ukrainian Bookshelf at BAnQ was opened in February 2024 and contained a set of children's literature in Ukrainian. Currently, BAnQ's Ukrainian collection includes more than 350 Ukrainian books in Ukrainian and French. 

On Wednesday, 30 October, Minister Andrii Sybiha handed over more than 60 books of Ukrainian literature by contemporary Ukrainian authors to the library during a ceremony attended by the library's Director General Marie Grégoire and representatives of the Ukrainian community in Montreal. 

The most important contribution is the 12-volume edition of Mykhailo Hrushevsky's History of Ukraine-Rus', translated into English by the Petro Yatsyk Center for Ukrainian History at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) at the University of Alberta.

‘The History of Ukraine-Rus' is a monumental scientific work that explores the historical roots of Ukraine as an independent state and Ukrainians as a distinctive nation. This publication has particular significance and symbolism today in the context of Ukraine's struggle for independence against unprovoked Russian aggression.

‘In Soviet times, just reading this book could land you in jail. Today, thanks to the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, the English edition of the ‘History of Ukraine-Rus’ allows us to convey the truth about Ukraine to the whole world, to return to Ukraine its true history, stolen by Russian imperialism,’ said Minister Andrii Sybiha. 

‘These new donations to BAnQ's Ukrainian Bookshelf provide the Ukrainian community and Quebecers with privileged access to Ukraine's rich literary and historical heritage,’ highlighted Marie Grégoire.

For reference: ‘The Ukrainian Bookshelf is a cultural project aimed at promoting Ukrainian literature and culture abroad and implemented by Ukraine's diplomatic missions abroad under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. So far, more than 200 such shelves have been created in 50 countries in Europe, Asia and America.