Ukrainian writer Ludmiła Jasna came to Jelenia Góra. Poles and Ukrainians were invited to the meeting

Ukrainian writer Ludmiła Jasna came to Jelenia Góra for an author meeting organized by the Poczatek Foundation as part of the “Women’s Power” initiative. The event was open to both Poles and Ukrainians. They talked about literature, life and the author’s work, and participants could get to know her books and talk to the writer in person.

Wesprzyj Nowiny Wschodnie

Pomóż nam rozwijać niezależne polsko-ukraińskie medium.

Wspólnie zebraliśmy

342 zł

Cel
5 000 zł

Każde wsparcie pomaga nam tworzyć rzetelne informacje i rozwijać portal.

Postaw kawę za:

10 zł 20 zł 35 zł

The meeting took place on September 17 at the headquarters of the Poczatek Foundation in Jelenia Góra. Its initiator and organizer was Olga Okhmat, coordinator of the “Women’s Power” club operating at the Poczatek Foundation.

The guest of the event was Ludmiła Jasna (Людмила Ясна) – a Ukrainian writer and journalist publishing under a literary pseudonym. Her real name is Ludmiła Mykołajiwna Nosowa. She is the author of about ten books, a winner and awardee in literary competitions, and a member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine and the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

During the meeting, Jasna talked about her life and creative path, presented her books, read excerpts from her works as well as her own poems. There was also time for questions, conversation with readers, and getting to know the author directly.

The meeting had an intimate character, and an important part of it was the direct conversation between the writer and the participants.

Olga Okhmat later described the atmosphere of the event as follows:

“It wasn’t just an author event – it was a real journey into the world of her life, thoughts and feelings. Ludmila talked about herself and her creative path, read excerpts from her books and her own poems. We cried, and then we smiled.”

As the coordinator of “Women’s Strength” emphasized, together with the author the participants experienced the stories being told and the emotions that accompanied them.

The warm meeting was also recalled by those who came to listen to the writer. After the event, Wira Kołomijec wrote:

“Ludmila spoke in an interesting and sincere way about her life, work and books. Her words moved our emotions, awakened memories and touched something very close to us.”

Ludmila Jasna herself later shared one of the accounts from the meeting, emphasizing the role of its organizer.

“It’s nice to read this warm account of the creative meeting with readers, coming directly from the organizer, Olga Okhmat. For me, it is a very memorable event,” the writer wrote.

Who is Ludmila Jasna?

Ludmila Jasna comes from the Kharkiv region. She studied at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Professionally, for years she was also associated with journalism – she worked as an editor of the in-house newspaper of the Kharkiv Medical Institute, now a university. Later she moved to Kyiv.

Her interest in literature began much earlier. She made her first literary attempts as a child, and over time her works also began to appear in the press.

Today her body of work includes poetry, short stories, novellas and novels. The author reaches for contemporary and psychological fiction, but elements of thriller and fantasy also appear in her work.

One of her earlier publications was the poetry volume “Жасминна заметіль” (“Jasmine Blizzard”), for which she received a diploma from the All-Ukrainian Poetry Review “Троянди й виноград” – “Roses and Grapes”.

In 2015, “Аніча” (“Anicza”) was published, containing short stories and a novella. In the following years she published more books, including “Кара небесна” and a collection of novellas and short stories “Змахи крил метелика”.

Among her publications there is also the poetry volume presented during the meeting in Jelenia Góra, “Змова тюльпанів” (“The Conspiracy of Tulips”), bringing together poems written in different periods of the author’s creative work.

From the “Coronation of the Word” to the Grand Prix

An important place in Ludmila Jasna’s body of work is held by pieces recognized in Ukrainian literary competitions.

In 2019 her novel “Та, що в темі” received the special distinction “Інший погляд” – “A Different View” – in one of the most recognizable Ukrainian literary competitions, “Коронація слова” (“Coronation of the Word”).

The novel was later published and presented, among other events, during the Lviv International BookForum. In it, the author tackles themes of searching for one’s own identity, acceptance, and a person’s right to live in harmony with themselves.

Another of her books is “Мікстура від смерті” (“A Mixture Against Death”) – a novel combining social, romantic, and fantasy threads. One of the main characters is a biochemistry lecturer who secretly conducts work on an elixir of youth.

The work was noticed even before publication during the International Prose Manuscript Competition “Крилатий Лев” (“Winged Lion”).

One of the writer’s most important achievements was also the Grand Prix of the All-Ukrainian Literary Competition named after Hryhor Tiutiunnyk for the work “Упійманий домівкою”.

The novel was later also recognized in the “Koronacja Słowa 2022” competition, and then published in book form under the title “Упіймани́й”.

Participants were able to see some of Ludmiła Jasna’s books during the meeting in Jelenia Góra.

Literature as a space for meeting

The event with Ludmiła Jasna was one of the activities organized by the Poczatek Foundation as part of the “Women’s Power” club.

The club’s day-to-day activities are led by Olga Okhmat, coordinator of “Women’s Power”, who, together with the participants, initiates and organizes subsequent meetings. It was on her initiative that Ludmiła Jasna was invited to Jelenia Góra.

“Women’s Power” was created as a space for Polish-Ukrainian integration and support for women, especially those with experience of refuge and migration. The club is meant to help build new relationships, counteract isolation, and create a safe space for conversation, mutual support, and rebuilding a sense of belonging to the local community. An important element of the initiative is also supporting women’s mental well-being through shared meetings, activity, culture, creativity, and building lasting bonds between participants – both Ukrainians and Poles.

The club is not limited to just one type of activity.

Participants meet during artistic and creative workshops, paint together, take part in movement classes and cultural events. Coffee and tea gatherings are also organized, as well as outings together and trips.

One of the regular activities is fitness classes for women.

However, the essence of “Women’s Power” is not only about preparing ready-made sessions. The participants themselves put forward ideas, co-create the meetings, and have an influence on the direction in which the club develops.

Ukrainian women are building their lives in Poland. But integration is something more than just work and housing

Many Ukrainian women living in Jelenia Góra today have been independently building their lives in Poland for several years. They work, raise children, learn the language, find apartments, and take care of everyday matters. Over time, however, something grows in importance that cannot be replaced by work or material stability – relationships with other people, a sense of belonging, and one’s own place in the local community.

For women who, after leaving Ukraine, found themselves in a new country without an existing circle of acquaintances, friends, or part of their family, building such relationships can take time. Daily work, raising children, and other responsibilities further limit opportunities to meet new people and find space for themselves.

This is exactly the need that “Siła Kobiet” responds to. The club is meant to be a space for Polish-Ukrainian integration, mutual support, and building relationships, where women can meet, develop interests, organize events together, and simply spend time together.

The meeting with Ludmiła Jasna showed one dimension of this activity – culture and literature can become a space where Poles and Ukrainians meet, talk, and get to know one another beyond everyday responsibilities.

The Beginning Foundation – from integration to education

The Beginning Foundation has been formally operating in Jelenia Góra since 2023, while the community gathered around its founders has been carrying out local social activities since 2017.

The organization works on the integration of migrants and refugees, education for children and adults, teaching the Polish language, supporting families, and organizing social, educational, and cultural events. One of the Foundation’s areas of activity is also building dialogue between the Polish and Ukrainian communities.

The Foundation also runs the Ukrainian School “Pochątek” in Jelenia Góra, where children learn the Ukrainian language, as well as the history and culture of Ukraine. In the 2026/2027 school year, nearly 20 new students joined the school, which made it possible to open another group.

The Foundation has cooperated or is cooperating with organizations and institutions such as the Polish Center for International Aid, the International Organization for Migration, Polish Humanitarian Action, and Ashoka.

“Women’s Strength” invites more participants

The meeting with Ludmiła Jasna was one of the “Women’s Strength” events, but the club’s activities continue.

More women from Jelenia Góra and the surrounding area can join the initiative. There is no need to know the other participants beforehand or have experience in the activities offered.

Further meetings, workshops, sports activities, cultural events, and joint trips are planned, and their program is to continue to be co-created by the participants themselves.

People interested in joining “Women’s Strength” can contact the Pochątek Foundation directly.

Mikele Bakhur

m.bakhur@nowinywschodnie.pl