The Foundation Joined the Presentation of the Collection “I Am Ukraine Too”

The Public Resources and Initiatives Charity Foundation Co-Organized the Presentation of the Poetry Manifesto “I Am Ukraine Too” in Chernivtsi

The Public Resources and Initiatives Charity Foundation joined the organization of the presentation of the poetry manifesto “I Am Ukraine Too” by Moldovan writer Radmila Popovici in Chernivtsi.

The book is an emotional and profound response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and, at the same time, a powerful gesture of international solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The collection was first published in 2023 in Romanian under the title “Și eu sunt Ucraina” by Junimea Publishing House (Iași, Romania). In 2025, a Ukrainian-language digital edition was released by Polis Publishing House with the support of Sorin Bocancea, Professor and Rector of the “Petre Andrei” University. The Ukrainian translation was completed by Mihai Traista — writer, journalist, and Head of the Bucharest branch of the Union of Ukrainians in Romania.

On March 25, two presentations took place: at the Department of Romanian and Classical Philology of the Faculty of Philology at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, where Radmila Popovici and Sorin Bocancea engaged with students and faculty; and at the Chernivtsi Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Mykhailo Ivasiuk, where representatives of the creative community, academics, and local residents joined the discussion. The atmosphere of the event was enriched by violin performances from Honored Artist of Ukraine Mykola Hakman, which deeply moved the audience.

On March 26, another meeting with the author was held at the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.

The events were moderated by Serhii Hakman, PhD in History, Associate Professor, and Deputy Director of the Chernivtsi Regional Center for Professional Development.

According to the author, the poems in the collection differ significantly from her previous work: “When the war began, I realized that I had to resist this evil in some way. I decided that my words should become a weapon against propaganda and a tool for healing wounds.”

As Radmila Popovici notes, the book contains pain, grief, despair, and condemnation — but also deep gratitude to Ukrainians who are on the front lines, defending not only their country but Europe as a whole. She emphasized her wish for these poems to reach soldiers in the trenches, so they can feel this support and know that their efforts are not in vain.

The idea to publish the collection was initiated by Sorin Bocancea, Rector of the “Petre Andrei” University in Iași. After discovering Popovici’s poetry on Facebook, he approached her with the proposal to publish the book. Among several options, the title “I Am Ukraine Too” was chosen as a clear expression of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“The war in Ukraine is not only a war of Ukrainians. It is a war for all humanity. While we often focus on what soldiers do, this war concerns the entire society. Soldiers on the front line need not only weapons and food — they need to know they are seen, valued, and supported. Books like this can provide that moral support. This is difficult literature, but it is literature that leaves no one indifferent.”

Radmila Popovici is a renowned poet and lyricist from the Republic of Moldova. She was born on August 31, 1972, in Floritoaia Veche. She graduated from the Faculty of Philology of the State University of Chișinău and is a member of the Writers’ Union of Moldova and Romania. Her works have been translated into French, Italian, German, Spanish, English, and most recently — Ukrainian.

The event was organized through the joint efforts of the Chernivtsi Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Mykhailo Ivasiuk, the “Petre Andrei” University, the Public Resources and Initiatives Charity Foundation, and the Chernivtsi Regional Center for Professional Development.

The Ukrainian translation of the book is available online.