Russia’s Denial of Ukraine: Letters and Contested Memory

A book talk and conversation with Nataliya Shpylova-Saeed, author of Russia’s Denial of Ukraine: Letters and Contested Memory (2024). In this book, a broader context for Russia’s denial of Ukraine’s rightful existence as a nation, which has erupted in the current war, is explored through the writings of major Ukrainian writers, particularly their letters. How did these narratives, which emerged as contested memories in the nineteenth century, come to be major factors in twenty-first century political and military actions? How did the contested memories circulate? And what can memory studies contribute to our understanding of the many forms of resistance seen in contemporary Ukraine?

Event Speakers:

Nataliya Shpylova-Saeed: Preceptor in Ukrainian at Harvard University

George Grabowicz: Dmytro Cyzevs’kyj Professor of Ukrainian Literature, Emeritus, Harvard University

Bohdan Tokarskyi: Assistant Professor of Ukrainian Literature and Culture, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University

Stephanie Sandler: Ernest E. Monrad Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University