KROKODIL AWARDED AT THE BOOK FORUM IN LVIV

06 Oct KROKODIL AWARDED AT THE BOOK FORUM IN LVIV

During the past few days, we were in Lviv for the Book Forum event. On Friday, October 3rd, we were solemnly presented with a letter of gratitude from the local Ivan Franko National University “for the effective assistance to Ukrainians affected by Russian aggression, as well as the active promotion of Ukrainian culture in Serbia.” This recognition was awarded to us last year, but we were only now able to receive it. Vladimir Arsenijević accepted the letter of gratitude on behalf of the KROKODIL Association. It is needless to emphasize how proud we are of such recognition. It further strengthens our determination to continue providing assistance to Ukrainian society and citizens until the final victory over the aggressor and the cessation of this unjust, predatory war to which they have been exposed for years. 

During the last night of our stay in Lviv, the most intense air attack on the city since the very beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, was carried out. From around two in the morning until eight in the morning, a synchronized attack took place in which many Kinzhals – Russian hypersonic aero-ballistic air-to-surface missiles – as well as Shaheds – Iranian kamikaze drones – were fired, causing considerable damage, mostly in the peripheral parts of the city, towards the airport. There is still no information about casualties, but it would be strange if there were none. However, let’s hope that at least human lives have indeed been saved. Currently, everything is calm and the air raid alert is over, but some parts of Lviv have been left without electricity and water. Considering that the legendary Book Forum, as well as the parallel book and coffee festival called “Coffee, books and vintage #7,” is currently taking place in this phenomenally vibrant city, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and that there are many foreign guests present, it would seem that the moment for this attack was carefully chosen to maximize the impact. For us, this was a very intense reality check regarding the situation in which our Ukrainian friends have been living for years. War is a frightening reality, although here it often seems that life easily returns to a very convincing simulacrum of harmonious everyday life. And precisely that, that almost surreal ability to preserve at least the illusion of life in peace, speaks most in favor of the incredible perseverance of the entire Ukrainian society to secure for themselves, as the ultimate goal of everything they are going through, precisely that kind of reality and everyday life, stability and some kind of prosperity, far from Russian toxic influence, far from Russian imperialistic domination, far from the Russian murderous military machine.

We at the KROKODIL Association will certainly continue to strive to provide them support in this as much as our powers allow.