“We Didn’t Expect You”: BSPU Hosts Online Meeting with Writer and Serviceman Artem Chekh

Berdiansk State Pedagogical University (BSPU) hosted an inspiring online meeting for students and faculty with the renowned Ukrainian writer, essayist, and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Artem Chekh. The event focused on the presentation of his new novel, “We Didn’t Expect You”, and an in-depth exploration of the realities of modern warfare.

The book served as the central theme of the discussion. Artem Chekh spoke about the process of writing the novel, the meanings embedded within it, and the complex experience of living through — and reflecting upon — the reality of war through the medium of literature. The BSPU community had the opportunity to learn firsthand how daily life at the front lines intersects with literary creation, how the perspective between an author and their text shifts during wartime, and why preserving memory through literature is critically important today.

During the interactive segment, participants posed a number of questions to the guest. Students of philology and journalism were particularly interested in the nuances of crafting “artistic truth”, the boundaries of autobiography in the author’s new prose, the intricacies of linguistic style, and the challenges of addressing complex social issues.

The meeting unfolded as an open and sincere dialogue, leaving a profound emotional impact on everyone present. For the relocated BSPU community, this event served not only as a significant cultural and educational milestone but also as a powerful intellectual source of support and inspiration.