Book launch, exploring forced migration and finding oneself in a new environment.

‘The light is soft, almost like candlelight. It would be nice to put the Christmas tree in the velvet room—that would look beautiful—but no, there are workmen in there. They’ve partitioned off half the space, pushed the furniture into a corner, and they’re drilling from morning till night. I’ll have to put it in the lounge bar instead’.

📖 This is an excerpt from the book 'Going West' ("На захід від міста") by Ukrainian author Hanna Horodetska, recently published in Ukraine by the Old Lion Publishing House (Видавництво Старого Лева).

The book tells the story of Nadiia, who works at a hotel on an island. However, instead of the typical vacationers one might expect, the guests arriving here are refugees. For them, the hotel becomes a temporary home—a space for conversation, nostalgia for what they have lost, and tentative attempts to dream and make plans for the future.

On November 15th, we invite you to an event with Hanna in Sligo.

In conversation with Natalya Korniyenko, a Ukrainian journalist based in Galway, she will explore forced migration, the loss of one’s foundations, the feeling of being lost, and the journey of rediscovering oneself in a new reality.

📅 15 November 7:30 pm

📍 Lillies Cocktail Bar, Bridge St, Rathquarter, Sligo, F91 KTC5

🎙️The event will be conducted in both Ukrainian and English.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase a Ukrainian-language copy of the book and have it personally signed by the author.

🎟️ Admission is free, but registration is required!

Organisers: Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Ireland, Ukrainian Evening Sligo, and Ukrainians at ATU Sligo.

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✍️ Hanna Horodetska is a Ukrainian writer, translator, and tour guide. She is the author of four books: Inclusion, Other Maria, The Lord Doesn’t Like Vegans, and Going West.

In Ukraine, Hanna worked at the National Reserve Sophia of Kyiv, where she led tours for Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Boris Johnson, Emine Erdoğan, and other prominent guests.

She has been living in Ireland since 2025 and works as a social worker for Tusla.

Description supplied by the event organiser.