At the 32nd Lviv BookForum, the collection "Free voices of Crimea" was presented, highlighting the lives and struggles of Crimean political prisoners-journalists imprisoned for exposing repression in occupied Crimea. The book revives their voices through letters, diaries, and courtroom speeches, including messages from children, which remind us that not only adults are behind bars but also their families. This was reported by journalist ZMINA.
"Free voices of Crimea" is a collection of portraits of sixteen journalists and human rights defenders sentenced by Russia to decades in prison. Most of the protagonists are Crimean Tatars, and the publication explains the historical context of the indigenous people's fight against repression from both Soviet and Russian systems. This collection tells the stories of those who cannot speak for themselves. Through letters, diaries, excerpts from court speeches, and texts, the authors convey the voices of political prisoners, so the world can hear them even behind the 'glass wall' of prison bars and censorship.
Journalist and writer Rustem Khalilov noted during the presentation: "As journalists, we understand that it's increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of information in Crimea as before. We try to monitor what is happening there, although people are arrested for the slightest criticism of the occupying authorities."
Project coordinator Inna Bereznitska shared how children's letters from political prisoners were used in the book. In particular, the daughter of Vladislav Yesipenko, Stefania, wrote: "I want Saint Nicholas to come and make my dream come true. I want my dad to be home." Bereznitska added that the letters and drawings from children give the stories a special power, as they showcase the lives waiting for their loved ones to return from captivity.
ZMINA journalist Oleksandra Yefimenko, who worked as an independent correspondent in occupied Crimea for four years, spoke during the presentation about the phenomenon of citizen journalism in occupation: "Citizen journalists are people with absolutely different professions: cooks, teachers, historians, builders. But when the occupation of Crimea occurred, and the Russians began their repressions on the Ukrainian peninsula, these people realized that honest information was crucial. And with their mobile phones, they started covering searches and trials with a political component."
The publication is a joint initiative of the Ukrainian PEN, The Ukrainians Media, the ZMINA Human Rights Center, and Vivat Publishing. The event took place with the support of the Publishers' Forum, INDEX, and the thematic cluster 'Living Memory'.
The book reminds us that freedom of speech and human rights in the occupied peninsula remain under constant threat, and documenting these stories is a vital step to ensure the world does not forget those who are being silenced.
Earlier, ZMINA reported that the anthology "Free voices of Crimea" by Vivat Publishing made it to the list of the most popular publications at this year's XIII Book Arsenal. The collection documents the stories of Crimean political prisoners-journalists who fight for human rights and freedom of speech under occupation.
