In Kherson, regional librarians are adjusting their holdings to align with new cultural priorities
A regional leader from Kherson, Senator Igor Kastyukevich, publicly outlined a shift in library collections. He stated that Ukrainian propaganda literature, labeled as harmful or fake, would be replaced with works from the Russian literary canon. The goal, as described, is to remove materials that promoted European integration narratives and wartime propaganda previously popular in local social and educational institutions.
The senator explained that libraries in the area would retain only high-quality literature from Russian classics, indicating a deliberate narrowing of the bookshelf toward traditional Russian works that he believes reflect enduring literary merit.
In a related development, the AST publishing house suspended payments to Lyudmila Ulitskaya, a writer who has been designated a foreign agent in Russia, after she requested a transfer of copyrights to Ukraine. AST also announced that the freeze would continue until the author provides clarity on the copyright transfer. Some book chains and Moscow libraries have signaled readiness to suspend Ulitskaya’s publications, citing the author’s status and ongoing political issues.
Meanwhile, discussions in the State Duma touched on how Boris Akunin, another prominent writer listed as a foreign agent in Russia and named among terrorists and extremists by some authorities, might respond to these broader definitional pressures on literary figures. The evolving regulatory and cultural environment is shaping which authors and titles are available in public spaces and libraries across the region, and how publishers manage access to their works in the current climate.
Analysts note that the moves reflect a broader pattern visible in several regions where cultural policy intersects with national narratives. They caution that such shifts affect not only what is read in libraries but also how readers encounter literary history, national identity, and the role of literature in public discourse. Observers emphasize the importance of maintaining access to a diverse literary landscape, while recognizing that political changes can drive rapid adjustments in what libraries stock and promote. Marked citations available: (Source attribution included in related policy discussions).