Evening With Ihor Kozlovsky: Poetry in Captivity And Dreams About Freedom

Renowned Ukrainian theologian and historian Ihor Kozlovsky recalls the life of terror in captivity – and of hope about the future. He was detained and imprisoned by Russian-led forces in Donetsk in January 2016 – accused of spying and of storing ammunition. Now back in Kyiv after being released last December, he calmly talks about his experiences.

While imprisoned, Ihor chronicled his thoughts and feelings in a notebook given to him by relatives. He wrote about his surroundings and even some of his acquaintances who later denounced his pro-Ukrainian views.

Ihor Kozlovsky was among 73 Ukrainians held in the occupied Donbas, who were exchanged for over 230 fighters and sympathizers of the Kremlin’s proxy forces in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2017.  Back at the event, the room is packed. Among the dozens in the audience is Iren Rozdobudko, another well-known writer, and poet from Donetsk. She thinks that powerful stories like Ihor’s should be heard more in Ukraine and abroad.

Ihor says it was people’s support that kept his spirits up behind bars. Now back in Kyiv, he plans to continue telling his story of his life in captivity – and of his hopes about real independence for Ukraine in the future.