In San Francisco, a presentation of the bilingual poetry collection "21+" took place in support of children of war.
In the cultural space C Ukraine in San Francisco, a poetry evening and presentation of the bilingual collection "21+" took place. The event was supported by the Consulate of Ukraine in San Francisco and brought together the Ukrainian community and American friends of Ukraine around poetry and charity.
All funds raised during the event were donated to the charity fund "Children of Heroes," which cares for Ukrainian children who have lost one or both parents due to the full-scale war. Donations are directed towards education, psychological support, and long-term assistance to families. The author also encourages those who could not attend to support the fund directly.
Bilingual Poetry as a Bridge Between Cultures
Although the author read his poems in Ukrainian during the evening, the collection itself is bilingual — in Ukrainian and English. This format allows English-speaking readers to discover the Ukrainian cultural code embedded in the texts.
The poems weave in images of the Ukrainian Carpathians, philosophical motifs of Skovoroda, allusions to Ukrainian scientists, folklore symbols — particularly the image of the forest Mavka. The texts contain unique "riddles" and cultural references that invite the reader to a deeper understanding of Ukrainian history and spiritual tradition. Thus, the collection becomes not only a poetic but also a cultural bridge between Ukraine and the world.
What Does "21+" Mean?
The title "21+" is not about age restriction. It has a practical dimension: it reads the same in both Ukrainian and English, emphasizing the bilingual nature of the publication. At the same time, the "plus" has a symbolic meaning — it is about the period after a certain life threshold, about the moment of choice.
The symbol "+" resembles a crossroads — unregulated, without a traffic light. No one tells you when to cross and which side is better or safer. A person makes the decision themselves and takes responsibility for it. In the context of war and emigration, this image gains special significance — it is about growing up, loss, faith, and finding a new path.
Open Stage and a Living Community
The first part of the evening was dedicated to an open mic — those interested had the opportunity to read their own texts. This created an atmosphere of community and trust, where poetry became a way to speak about personal experiences of war, loss, hope, and memory.
Art That Supports
In addition to book sales (in both soft and hard covers), attendees could purchase the author's unpublished poems and postcards during the event. All collected funds were transferred to current collections supporting children and people affected by the war.
If you are interested in the "21+" collection, it can be purchased via the appropriate link. The author encourages supporting the initiative or directly donating to the "Children of Heroes" fund.
The poetry evening in San Francisco became an example of how words can turn into action — and how culture can support those who need it most.
Link to the book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8Y2JMQX
Link to the "Children of Heroes" Charity Fund:
