Abstract
Since 2014, Russia has been conducting a hybrid war against Ukraine, aiming to keep it within its sphere of influence. This aggression encompasses not only military, economic, and diplomatic aspects but also an informational dimension, particularly in the regulation of the book market. Following the full-scale invasion, the protection of the Ukrainian language has become a factor in national security. Beyond market pressure, Russia has waged war on Ukrainian books at a much deeper level: assassinating authors, deliberately destroying libraries, and eradicating Ukrainian literature from occupied territories. Therefore, the development and analysis of the publishing industry are of utmost importance and require in-depth study. This article aimed to investigate the key trends influencing the development of Ukraine’s publishing industry between 2014 and 2024. The methodology of the study is based on historical, retrospective, logical, chronological, and analytical research methods. It has been established that a significant achievement in the publishing sector is the shift in readers’ preferences towards Ukrainian-language books. As a result, the number of new publications has grown, with trends such as children’s educational literature, motivational or business books, and foreign bestsellers emerging. It was found that during the war with Russia and the economic decline in 2014-2015, the book market experienced a downturn. Between 2016 and 2019, some recovery was observed, with a broader genre range and an increased share of Ukrainian-language literature in the market. In 2020, due to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, the publishing industry faced reductions. By 2021, the decline slowed, and the number of titles increased. After 24 February 2022, publishers and printing houses ceased operations. However, within a few months, most publishers managed to resume work, establish new logistics routes, and secure funding. The findings of this study can be used for further exploration of the scientific issues outlined in the article, as well as serve as a foundation for the development and teaching of relevant courses in higher education institutions
Keywords
publishing activity; publishing sector; book trade; literature; language
References
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