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Hugh Roberts

@hughgaroberts.bsky.social

130 followers 150 following 73 posts

I'm a Professor of French at the University of Exeter, where I'm also facilitating translation of contemporary Ukrainian wartime poetry. Otherwise, I teach and research on the crossover between philosophy and literature, from Montaigne to Simone Weil. .. more

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Political science 31%

History 25%

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · 9d

Advanced copies of @yarachornohuz.bsky.social [dasein: defence of presence], translated by @aglaser.bsky.social available from @jantarbooks.bsky.social with free postage in UK.

www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page...

[dasein: defence of presence] | jantarpublishing.com

“Ms. Chornohuz’s story is emblematic of a poetry boom that has swept Ukraine during the war with Russia.” – The New York Times “One of Ukraine’s most celebrated poets.” – The Guardian Yaryna Chornohuz...

www.jantarpublishing.com

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Aug 14

Important conversation between the poets Yuliya Musakovska (Ukraine) and Quaz Roodt (South Africa).

"Literaturre can help us look into the eyes of the other and see there an image — an always new and unexpected image — of ourselves."

ukraineworld.org/en/articles/...

We are here, we will not be forgotten: South Africa and Ukraine in dialogue through literature

The dialogue between Yuliya Musakovska and Quaz Roodt.

ukraineworld.org

Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Luke Harding @lukeharding1968.bsky.social · Aug 14

Writers, artists and MPs have urged the Royal Ballet and Opera House to drop the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko from its new season. The singer is a “longtime symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime that Is responsible for serious war crimes” they write www.theguardian.com/music/2025/a...

Royal Ballet and Opera house urged to drop Russian soprano with Putin links

Exclusive: MPs and Ukrainian artists sign letter saying Anna Netrebko is ‘symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime responsible for war crimes’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Euromaidan Press @euromaidanpress.bsky.social · Jul 6

Meet Shraik, the wild kestrel who attacked a Russian drone mid-flight.

Wounded but alive, he was rescued by Ukrainian soldiers & underwent surgery.

Recovery will be long. His rescuers paid for everything. He is one of them now.

Now he rests. One day, he’ll fly again—over free Ukrainian skies.

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Luke Harding @lukeharding1968.bsky.social · Jul 4

Here's my report from Kyiv after last night's huge Russian attack. As one Ukrainian adviser put it Putin is "publicly humiliating" Donald Trump after their phone call yesterday. The US strategy of appeasing Russia doesn't work - and civilians are paying the price www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 14, triggers multiple fires, mayor says

Seven-hour assault prompts Ukraine to accuse Putin of humiliating Trump hours after the two men spoke by phone

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Luke Harding @lukeharding1968.bsky.social · Jul 3

Massive Russian drone attack in Kyiv right now. You can hear the moped-like whine of drones flying above the centre of the city - one, two, then many more - followed by booms and machine gun fire from Ukrainian units trying to shoot them down. This is Putin’s war, of course - but also Trump’s ..

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Jun 26

@okhromeychuk.bsky.social of @ukrinstitute.bsky.social 'We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain', talk at the University of Exeter now available on YouTube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueww...

We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain

YouTube video by University of Exeter

www.youtube.com

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Jun 25

Nicole Yurtsaba's review of Artur Dron, 'We Were Here', trans. by Yuliya Musakovska.

'Every publication by a Ukrainian writer is a means of survival, a contribution to cultural preservation, and a stand against centuries-long Russian imperialism'

worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/july/we...

We Were Here by Artur Dron

Trans. Yuliya Musakovska. Jantar. 2024. 101 pages.

worldliteraturetoday.org

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Jun 6

Important article by my friend and colleague, the great Ukrainian poet and cultural advocate, Yuliya Musakovska.

english.mathrubhumi.com/features/spe...

A voice from Ukraine: A poet’s war against darkness

As a poet, I should believe in the power of poetry to change lives, but I’m under no illusion

english.mathrubhumi.com

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Jun 4

Today at 4pm (UK) @okhromeychuk.bsky.social

Zoom link: universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/9811766528...

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 27

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-are-war...

REMINDER to book and join in-person or online next week for @okhromeychuk.bsky.social's extremely timely talk.

@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social

We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain

Dr Olesya Khromeychuk delivers this talk on the ways in which war transforms language, literature, and those who bear witness.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 15

Artur Dron', 'We Were Here' book launch recording.

@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social

youtu.be/9LBJDQthK3c?...

Book Launch: Artur Dron', We Were Here

YouTube video by University of Exeter

youtu.be

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 12

exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/trigg...

‘Trigger Warning’: A Workshop on Writing Pain - Exeter Phoenix

This workshop explores the power of writing about war, grief, and trauma—not only as a form of expression, but as an act of social justice.

exeterphoenix.org.uk

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 12

www.eventbrite.com/e/we-are-war...

We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain

Dr Olesya Khromeychuk delivers this talk on the ways in which war transforms language, literature, and those who bear witness.

www.eventbrite.com

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 12

@okhromeychuk.bsky.social 'We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain' talk @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social 4 June, 5-5pm + reception and book signing

@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 12

@okhromeychuk.bsky.social 'Trigger Warning: A Workshop on Writing Pain' @exeterphoenix.bsky.social 3 June 5-6.30pm

@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · May 5

Artur Dron, 'We Were Here' book launch - 5.30pm (UK time) tomorrow (6 May). Join on Zoom: universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/9133140895...

@jantarbooks.bsky.social

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Apr 23

To book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-were-he...

We Were Here: Artur Dron

Celebrated Ukrainian poet and serviceman Artur Dron' concludes his tour of the launch of his poetry collection, We Were Here.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Apr 23

@uniofexeternews.bsky.social on Artur Dron, 'We Were Here'.

@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social

news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

Exeter experts support Ukrainian poet and soldier Artur Dron to share experiences of the war from the front line and beyond

Exeter experts are supporting renowned Ukrainian poet turned soldier Artur Dron to share the experiences of those fighting on Europe’s front line. Artur Dron has had to endure multiple operations and ...

news.exeter.ac.uk

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Richard Coombes @richtranslator.bsky.social · Apr 20

Marina Ponomarenko is a tremendous Ukrainian poetess. Here is a poem she wrote on 24 December 2024, and my translation.

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Apr 18

'Ukrainian wartime poetry is more than artistic expression; it is a vital medium for processing trauma, asserting identity, and bearing witness to history.' - Prof. Svitlana Arbuzova in @timeshighered.bsky.social

www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/we-m...

We must support research preserving culture, history and human dignity

Exeter’s self-funded translation of Ukrainian war poetry ensures it reaches a global audience and contributes to historical justice, says Svitlana Arbuzova

www.timeshighereducation.com

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Apr 14

Hybrid book launch for Ukrainian poet and soldier Artur Dron', 'We Were Here', trans. by Yuliya Musakovska.

Join via Zoom or live in Lviv or in Exeter, 6 May, 5.30-7pm (UK).

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-were-he...

@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@jantarbooks.bsky.social

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Luke Harding @lukeharding1968.bsky.social · Apr 13

My report on today's devastating Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy. At least 21 dead and 83 injured, including seven kids. Bodies on the streets, burning cars, a trolley bus destroyed, rescuers carrying survivors, a child covered in blood.. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Russian missile strike kills at least 20 in Ukrainian city of Sumy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says dozens killed on ‘ordinary city street’ while heading to church for Palm Sunday

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Simon Williams @stjohnbaptiste.bsky.social · Apr 5

Part of Dron's poem 'Prayer' which has stuck with me since first reading it.

We quarrelled again
about when to celebrate your birth.
But, you know,
Bethlehem was bombed
on both 25th December and January 7th.

No manger, no sheep, no
maternity ward, no
kindergarten, no
playground.

When you get a bit older and start talking,
tell your mum to tell my mum
how she should bear
all of this.

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Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Simon Williams @stjohnbaptiste.bsky.social · Apr 5

I was introduced to Artur Dron's poetry by Victor Shepelev's translations. Finally picked up the Jantar edition in translation, by Yuliya Musakovska, of We Were Here.

A picture of a book cover and a leaflet with some introductory text from the poet about the meaning of why he writes poetry and which will not fit in here. The book is Artur Dron's We Were Here, it's cover is an amber frame within which is a soldier's head, he has blue eyes, and a pixel camouflage pattern in greens and beiges.

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Mar 31

Important interview with Ukrainian poet and soldier Artur Dron' for @ukraineworld.bsky.social

Artur Dron's collection available in English from @jantarbooks.bsky.social

ukraineworld.org/en/articles/...

Poetry Born in Trenches: the Story of Ukrainian Writer and Servicemen Artur Dron

A talk on a new language of poetry, relationships during the war, and adaptation between the military and civilian worlds.

ukraineworld.org

Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Mar 29

'The voice of a love that can conquer all needs to be shouted now. Dron' shouts it well.'

Reader review of Artur Dron', "We Were Here", trans. by Yuliya Musakovska from @jantarbooks.bsky.social

www.eurolitnetwork.com/rivetingrevi...

RivetingReviews: Amanda Turner reviews WE WERE HERE by Artur Dron’ | European Literature Network

www.eurolitnetwork.com

Reposted by Hugh Roberts

Nadiia Omelchuk🇺🇦 @ukrainianart.bsky.social · Mar 23

Every day there is bad news, the heart is breaking, there is no strength left💔
Today, a father, Oleksandr, and his 5-year-old daughter, Nicole, were killed in a russian attack on Kyiv, and the mother is in the hospital.

Burn in hell russia!
#russiaIsATerroristState

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Hugh Roberts @hughgaroberts.bsky.social · Mar 23

One of the most dangerous book clubs in the world.

In the occupied territories of Ukraine reading or speaking Ukrainian can get you tortured or killed.

As this great artcle makes clear, russia's mission to erase Ukraine has been going on for centuries.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Ukraine’s clandestine book club defies Russia’s push to rewrite history

Risking discovery and even prison, teenage readers meet in secret to discuss texts that Putin’s troops are trying to erase