By KYIV. Sept 19 (Interfax-Ukraine) – More than 220 libraries were destroyed and around 400 were damaged as a result of Russia’s aggression, Acting Culture and Information Policy Minister of Ukraine Rostyslav Karandeyev has said.
“Currently we know that Russia destroyed more than 220 libraries and damaged around 400 libraries in Ukraine. The estimated loss of the library collection is more than 187 million copies,” the ministry’s press service said in a statement, citing Karandeyev.
According to him, the program of clearing bookshelves from enemy literature is perhaps the most important in the context of cultural de-occupation.
“Equally important is the program to expand the areas of use of the Ukrainian language, the program to attract children and adults to reading, as well as the restoration of libraries in the de-occupied territories,” the acting minister said.
