February 2023 MBR The International Studies Shelf

The International Studies Shelf

Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation's Cultural Heritage
Andriy Puchkov, et al.
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500026038, $40.00, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Treasures-Ukraine-Nations-Cultural-Heritage/dp/0500026033

Synopsis: "Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation's Cultural Heritage" chronicles the arts and heritage of Ukraine at a time when the country's people, culture, landmarks, and artworks are facing destruction and devastation. Created in partnership with a group of renowned artists, curators, and critics, this record of architectural monuments and artworks reaches from prehistory to the present day.

Organized chronologically across eight chapters, "Treasures of Ukraine" features more than 220 color images that showcase everything from Scythian gold, Byzantine icons, and wooden churches to gold-domed cathedrals, avant-garde masterpieces, and political art after the Orange Revolution, while accompanying texts reveal the history and significance behind the pieces. Examples of vernacular art weave Ukraine's dynamic and inextinguishable folk narrative through the book, providing visual texture as well as a sense of the nation's living history.

Critique: The collaborative work of Andrey Kurkov (Ukraine's most acclaimed living novelist and public commentator); Andriy Puchkov (a specialist in Ukrainian architecture and author of more than two dozen monographs); Christian Raffensperger (Professor of History and Department Chair at Wittenberg University; Diana Klochko (prominent art historian and author of 65 Masterpieces of Ukrainian Art); and Maksym Yaremenko (Professor at the Department of History at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy), "Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation's Cultural Heritage" is an impressive compendium showcasing the unique cultural heritage of Ukraine -- a cultural heritage that is currently in dire straights due to the Russian invasion of that country. Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color images enhancing an informative and well organized commentary, "Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation's Cultural Heritage" is available and recommended for personal, community, and academic library Ukrainian Art & History collections.

Editorial Note: A compelling account of Ukraine's history, told through the prism of a carefully curated selection of key monuments, architectural landmarks, and works of art. All proceeds from the sale of "Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation's Cultural Heritage" will go to PEN Ukraine, to help Ukrainian authors in need.

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