Two stories about books: One involves war, the other, Dolly Parton.
Last week I came across a news article about books that was front-page news on the BBC website.
It was about the publishing industry in war-torn Ukraine, but not for good reasons.
For anyone who is a book-lover and reader, here’s the bit you would rather not read. Russia has been targeting the book publishing industry and books as part of its war on Ukraine.
Russian strikes destroy 12 million books ahead of Ukraine’s first week back at school.
In recent weeks 35 publishing facilities were hit. It’s part of a concerted effort by the Russians to attack cultural targets in Ukraine. That includes book publishing, museums, art galleries, film studios, libraries, and opera houses. I suspect that the attacks probably violate international law, but since when has that mattered to an aggressor?
The fact is, when it comes to war and extreme politics, the written word and books are always a target.
Then I came across another news story about books — one that tells us about the importance of books and reading in our lives. A positive story that takes us away from the nastiness of those who choose destruction and aggression.
A week or so ago, the death of singer, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton was announced. Many may be totally unaware of her charitable causes, like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The Imagination Library is a book-gifting charity that helps children discover the joy of reading. Founded in 1995, the programme sends a free book each month to registered children from birth to the age of five.
It's a story about books that makes the lives of children better.
Her website shows that 3,197,250 children are registered to receive books.
The total number of books gifted to date is 332,411,218.
Bombs will never beat books.
Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
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