The Association of Italian Publishers and Federation of European Publishers announce 5,000 books for young Ukrainian refugees.
As has been the case in projects in Poland and in Germany, a program is underway in Italy to see Ukrainian books distributed to children who have been displaced by Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked assault on Ukraine.
The program is operating to support the Ukraine Book Institute, in partnership with the Association of Italian Publishers (Associazione Italiana Editori, AIE) and the Federation of European Publishers. The current program has 5,000 copies of books going to points of distribution, with the help of the Refugees Welcome Italia organization and the administration of the Emilia Romagna region in Italy. Printing has been handled by Rubbettino Print.
In a prepared statement, AIE president (and federation vice-president) Ricardo Franco Levi is quoted, saying, “With this initiative, the Ukrainian Book Institute provides concrete help to families and children who have fled from war and who are today living throughout Europe, while at the same time helping to maintain a strong bond with their country of origin.
“We immediately supported this initiative with our funds and [are] urging publishers to do the same.
“Thanks to all those who have donated, to those who will do so in the coming days since the fundraising is still open, and thanks above all to our partners who have allowed us to print and distribute the books in our country.”
For further reading: publishingperspectives.com/5000-books
