NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25- The Kenya National Library Service (KNLBS) has become home to East Africa’s first Ukrainian Bookshelf, marking a major cultural and diplomatic milestone aimed at deepening ties between Kenya and Ukraine through literature, history and knowledge exchange.

📻 Breaking It Down

The Ukrainian Bookshelf was officially launched in Nairobi during Africa Day celebrations, with officials describing the initiative as more than a collection of books, but a symbol of cultural diplomacy, international friendship and resistance against disinformation

Speaking during the launch, Ukrainian Ambassador to Kenya Yurii Tokar said Nairobi had become the first city in East Africa to host the global initiative launched under the patronage of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

“This initiative today unites 390 Ukrainian bookshelves across 72 countries around the world. I’m especially proud that Nairobi becomes the home of the first Ukrainian bookshelf in East Africa,” Tokar said during the event at KNLBS headquarters.

📌 What You Need to Know

Ambassador Tokar thanked the leadership of the Kenyan National Library Service and its Director General Dr. Charles Ngui Nzivo for supporting the project, saying the initiative goes beyond books to create “a space for discovery, conversation and new connections.”

The launch coincided with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Kenya National Library Service and the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, paving the way for institutional cooperation between the two countries’ national libraries.

The ambassador said the bookshelf would help Kenyans understand Ukraine beyond war headlines by exposing readers to the country’s literature, history, language and identity.

“In recent years, millions of people around the world have come to know Ukraine through the news and through the resilience of our people. Yet that resilience did not appear overnight. It is deeply rooted in our history, culture, language and identity,” Tokar said.

He added that the bookshelf would create opportunities for young Kenyans to engage with Ukrainian culture, literature and global conversations.

The event also featured a special message from Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, who described the Nairobi launch as symbolic because it was taking place on Africa Day.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya