Politics / Japan
Policy and political decisions with potential market and society impact. Topic: Japan. Updated briefs and structured summaries from curated sources.
Voices from Ukraine: Ukrainian poets visit Japan for the first-ever-festival: Hope through poetry
Full timeline
0.0–300.0
The Himawari Ukrainian support center in Shibuya, Tokyo, hosts one of the city's two public Ukrainian mini-libraries and was the venue for the first Ukrainian literature festival in Japan from December 12 to 14, 2025. The festival, organized by Darya Murakami and Victoria Matusha, featured various Ukrainian writers and musicians, supported by a grant from the International Renaissance Foundation.
- In Shibuya, Tokyo, the Himawari Ukrainian support center houses one of the two public Ukrainian mini-libraries in the city, which is part of the Ukrainian Book Club, Literary Evenings in Tokyo. The first Ukrainian literature festival, Voices from Ukraine, took place from December 12 to 14, 2025, bringing together novelists, poets, translators, readers, and musicians from the Ukrainian diaspora in Japan
- Darya Murakami and Victoria Matusha played crucial roles in organizing the festival, with Darya actively supporting Ukrainian refugees and promoting Ukrainian literature in Japan since the onset of the war. The festival was made possible through a grant from the International Renaissance Foundation, allowing the organizers to invite multiple Ukrainian writers instead of just one
- During the event, poets Teteana Vlasova, Mariana Savka, and Pavlo Matusha shared their unique creative voices, with Pavlo drawing from his direct military experience in the armed forces of Ukraine. The evening included musical performances based on works by Ukrainian composer Victor Recallo, featuring musicians who are evacuated Ukrainians living in Japan since the full-scale invasion
300.0–600.0
Teteana Vlasova presented her poetry collection 'Freedom,' published in May 2025, which serves as a personal wartime diary. Mariana Savka's book 'Forever Tender,' published in 2024, reflects resilience and resonates with Japanese culture through its themes of strength and tenderness.
- Teteana Vlasova showcased her second poetry collection, Freedom, published in May 2025. The book serves as both a chronicle of the present and a deeply personal wartime diary, reflecting her experiences during the ongoing conflict
- Mariana Savka presented her book Forever Tender, published in 2024, which spans two challenging years from August 2021 to August 2023. Her poems reflect resilience and the value of human life, resonating well with Japanese culture due to its themes of strength and tenderness
600.0–900.0
Mariana Savka's poetry incorporates cranes as symbols of strength and tenderness, resonating with both Japanese and Ukrainian cultures. Pavlo Matiyusha read war-themed poetry and showcased his book 'Paris, Spleen,' published in 2019, reflecting his experiences before the conflict.
- Mariana Savkas poems reference cranes, symbolizing strength and tenderness in both Japanese and Ukrainian cultures. She often incorporates singing into her performances, creating an intimate atmosphere that deepens emotional connections with the audience
- During the festival, Mariana performed several poems in song, enhancing their emotional impact and engaging the audience on a personal level
- Pavlo Matiyusha read war-themed poetry alongside his pre-war collection, Paris, Spleen, and included combat poetry by Dmitro Lazutkin, who could not attend due to military service
- Matiyusha expressed a desire for the festivals atmosphere to resonate deeply, despite being 10,000 km away from Ukraine, highlighting the emotional weight of being away from home
- He showcased his book, Paris, Spleen, published in 2019, which reflects his experiences during his French period and offers insights into life before the conflict
900.0–1200.0
Pavlo Matiyusha and Mariana Savka highlighted the emotional toll of war and the importance of sharing Ukrainian narratives. The festival serves as a platform for literature to convey lived experiences, contrasting with the often detached nature of news reporting.
- Pavlo Matiyusha shared that his experience during the war has been both emotional and unbearable, highlighting the stark contrast between moments of happiness and the harsh realities of life. He expressed a deep fear that accompanies the experience of war, describing it as an overwhelming darkness that leads to feelings of helplessness
- The importance of sharing Ukrainian voices about the war was underscored by Pavlo, who stated that the world needs to know their fate and truth. He emphasized the strength found in their collective memory and the significance of their presence at the festival
- Mariana Savka echoed Pavlos sentiments, noting that war transforms not only daily life but also peoples perspectives and values. She highlighted that while some things may lose their meaning, human emotions remain constant
- The festival serves a crucial purpose by providing a platform for literature to convey lived experiences, contrasting with news that often presents facts devoid of context and emotion. Tatiana Vlasova emphasized that this human connection is central to the event