"Poems for Peace"

"Poems for Peace" is a collection of poetry written by Ukrainian children who have lived through war for far too long. The poetic works were gathered as part of a global UNICEF initiative launched in 2020 to give a voice to children caught in conflict zones around the world. 

These children experienced the war in their schools, homes, and playgrounds. Their verses speak of fear and loss, separation from loved ones, and how their childhood is lived not through the sounds of school bells but air raid sirens. They express emotions, feelings, and a shared dream - to once again see peace in their country. 

Childhood is the most important time for development and sets the foundation for life. These poems reveal how childhood has been devastated in Ukraine after more than a decade of war. Children who have been forced to grow up beyond their years to cope with the horrors around them, altering their memories and dreams. 

More than 9,000 poems were submitted by children and young people in Ukraine since the start of the ‘Poems for Peace’ initiative. This book includes some of the most moving, profound and honest pieces of writing.