Born under the suffocating grip of the Soviet Empire, this generation of Ukrainians witnessed firsthand the cruelty and oppression of the Kremlin's rule. While some were always aware of the regime's true nature, others were lulled into a false sense of security by state propaganda. Yet, many maintained a hidden understanding of their Ukrainian identity and passed down vital stories to the younger generation, preserving the truth about their land, free from the distortions of Moscow's narrative. They are the keepers of Ukrainian heritage, even if they don't always realize it.

In this book, the older generation of Ukrainians shares their remarkable stories. A veteran of a Soviet imperial war tirelessly travels Ukraine in his wheelchair, raising funds for the Ukrainian army. A director of a natural reserve fights to protect nature from both shells and human neglect. A head of a museum rebuilds her life far from her beloved collection, left in an occupied city. A writer from Odesa shares her experiences of maintaining national identity in Moscow before returning home in 2014. A school principal from a small village had the courage to remain a stern teacher even toward Russian occupiers. An editor-in-chief of a Crimean Tatar newspaper fearlessly continues to tell the truth in annexed Crimea. A well-known philosopher and dissident recounts his life in Russian concentration camps.

These voices weave into the intricate tapestry of the cruel twentieth century, the final convulsions of which are still unfolding in Ukraine today.

Keepers is the third book in the Stories from Ukraine series, a collection of narrative nonfiction. Each story features two unique, powerful voices: one belonging to the individual telling their story and the other to the professional author documenting that story and reflecting it through their own experience of life and war in Ukraine. The diverse backgrounds and regional origins of both the heroes and authors create a captivating kaleidoscope of circumstances and perspectives.

Discover the stories of the keepers who have preserved Ukraine's past to protect its future.