Love poetry

We invited Ukrainian poets and poetry lovers close to us—among them Natalia Belczenko and Oles Ilchenko—to help select the most beautiful texts about love. Their suggestions gave birth to this collection, exquisitely illustrated by Ukrainian book artist Anna Havryluk.

The collection became a valued support for wine-and-poetry evenings held in several Ukrainian Reading Studios, where intense shared moments of emotion—tears and laughter alike—naturally emerged. It can be downloaded and enjoyed as a private read or as part of any activity inspired by love poetry.

In our gatherings, small groups sat close together in a circle, first reading the collection in silence. Each participant then chose the poem that resonated most deeply with them and shared their thoughts and feelings with the group. These conversations—open, sincere, and alive—wove together literary reflection and personal experience. Many described the moments as deeply cathartic, helping them gently touch and release long-buried, difficult emotions. And, as poetry so often does, it brought light, tenderness, and beauty into their lives.