"Vivat" to reprint Volodymyr Vakulenko's journal
The publishing house "Vivat" plans to reprint the journal of the Ukrainian writer Volodymyr Vakulenko, who was killed by the Russians, titled "I am Transforming... Occupation Journal. Selected Poems".
The press office of the publishing house reported this in a comment to "Suspilne Culture".
This will be the book's third print run of 3,100 copies. The work is set to begin in October.
According to the publishing house, the first print run of Vakulenko's journal was 1,500 copies. It was sold out in three weeks contrary to the publisher's plans to sell it throughout at least three months. The proceeds from the sale – over UAH 240 thousand – were given to Volodymyr Vakulenko's family.
The second print run was 2,600 copies, and as of now, it is almost sold out. 15% of the money will be given to the family.
"Vivat" deputy chief editor, Olena Rybka, says that sales were dynamic.
"The average first print run [of any book] at the 'Vivat' is 3,100. Depending on the genre and the author, it is the first month that shows the dynamics. Usually at least 1000–1500 copies are sold during this month. However, this number was even higher for 'I'm Transforming...': not only did the print run paid for by the International Renaissance Fund sell out, but also the follow-up one, which the publisher printed having realized that the fate of Volodymyr Vakulenko and his family have become symbolic for many," she said.
Volodymyr Vakulenko's mother, Olena Ihnatenko, commented on the rapid sales: "Of course, I am very glad that people are interested in the book, that they want to read Volodymyr's works, what he wrote."
The book is also set to be translated. Namely, Bogdan Zadura, winner of the Drahomán Prize 2021, is translating Vakulenko's journal into Polish. A French edition is also in the works in Canada. "Vivat" is in talks with German publishers as well. There are also requests for a radio recording, including from the BBC Radio.
As IMI reported, Volodymyr Vakulenko was born and lived in Kapitolivka village (near Izyum, Kharkiv oblast) with his son. Shortly after Kharkiv oblast was occupied, the Russian military took him away from his home, and his family never saw him again. After the de-occupation of Kharkiv oblast, his body was discovered in a mass grave in Izyum.
According to the police, the Russians killed Vakulenko with a Makarov pistol; two bullets were found in his body. The writer was buried on December 6, 2022, in Kharkiv.
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