Over the weekend of August 28–30, 2026, the second “Literary Fair” was held in Kharkiv — a large-scale book festival that brought together dozens of publishers, renowned writers and musicians, as well as thousands of visitors. Among the organizers was the Serhiy Zhadan Charitable Foundation; Zhadan himself was on site for all three days, interacting with guests, moderating events, and closing the festival with a performance by the band “Zhadan and the Dogs.” In a situation where the city continues to suffer enormous losses from Russian shelling, events like these become not merely cultural entertainment but an act of resistance and a restoration of everyday life.

Books Zhadan Considers Strategically Important

In a blitz conducted by the lifestyle project Wave (RBC-Ukraine), Zhadan declined to name a single favorite author, explaining that “it would not be entirely fair, I’m afraid I might forget someone.” However, he highlighted three directions he considers especially significant. First, the first volume of Vasyl Stus’s collected works, published by “Smoloskyp” — the writer called this “a matter of direct strategic importance,” since it marks the beginning of the complete collected works of one of the key dissidents of Ukrainian literature. Second, Zhadan traditionally praises the books of Kharkiv native Oleksandr Savchuk, noting the high quality and interest of each publication. Third, he spoke enthusiastically about the anthology “Ukrainian Chivalric Poetry,” published by “A-BA-BA-GA-LA-MA-GA” and lovingly compiled by Ivan Malkovych.

Call to Support “A-BA-BA-GA-LA-MA-GA” After a Strike on Its Warehouses

Separately, Zhadan emphasized that a shell recently hit the warehouses of the “A-BA-BA-GA-LA-MA-GA” publishing house, destroying a large number of books. The writer publicly called on readers to support the publisher by buying its publications. This call resonates against a broader backdrop: the second Literary Fair became not only a sales venue but also a de facto fundraiser for restoring the city’s book infrastructure.

Favorite Spot in Kharkiv and Musical Preferences

When asked about his favorite place in the city, Zhadan answered with his characteristic irony: “McDonald’s.” At the same time, he stressed that, as a Kharkiv native, he holds the legendary “Buffet” in high regard, but he became a fan of “McDonald’s” even before the “Buffet” opened in the city. In the musical part of the blitz, the writer named “Kurgan & Agregat” as his favorite band, which, by the way, performed at the fair’s opening — Zhadan thanked the group for agreeing to come.

Dream of a Festival for Tens of Thousands and Kharkiv’s Character

Talking about future plans, Zhadan confessed that he dreams of holding the next festival outdoors, with more equipment and an audience of tens of thousands, but he added that this is “a matter of security.” He also noted that invited authors and guests “usually no one refuses us,” and he linked this not to the organizers’ ambitions but to respect for the Kharkiv people, “who live in this place, work, serve, fight, and defend the city and the country.” Concluding the conversation, the writer described Kharkiv as “a strong city, a city with character, a city with a sense of irony, a city with a strategic vision of its own future,” adding that war “breaks” and “turns inside out,” but people remain strong.