In the autumn of 2022, seven months after the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer for a leading British newspaper, traveled to Ukraine to cover a literary festival. The experience had a profound impact on her perspective, highlighting the critical role of art in times of conflict.

Building on this encounter, Higgins is set to participate in a panel discussion alongside three Ukrainian writers—Olia Hercules, Sasha Dovzhyk, and Olesya Khromeychuk. The event, titled "Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War," will take place on September 30 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Conway Hall in London. It will also be livestreamed to reach a global audience.

The panel aims to explore the intersection of creative expression and survival during wartime, as the participants share their personal experiences and reflections on how culture functions not only as a form of resistance but also as a means of maintaining identity and hope amid ongoing violence.

Organizers emphasize the event’s focus on the vital importance of art in sustaining life during conflict, underscoring the medium’s power beyond aesthetics to encompass survival and resilience. Tickets for the event are available online, with the discussion expected to draw considerable interest from those following developments in Ukraine and the broader role of culture in crisis situations.