Hugh Roberts
@hughgaroberts.bsky.social
I'm a Professor of French at the University of Exeter, where I'm also facilitating translation of contemporary Ukrainian wartime poetry.
Otherwise, I teach and research on the crossover between philosophy and literature, from Montaigne to Simone Weil.
Otherwise, I teach and research on the crossover between philosophy and literature, from Montaigne to Simone Weil.
'Ukrainian Soldier Poets: The Cup of War'.
Essay in 'Strategy in the Spotlight' compendium.
news.exeter.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
@universityofexeter.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
Essay in 'Strategy in the Spotlight' compendium.
news.exeter.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
@universityofexeter.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
news.exeter.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM
'Ukrainian Soldier Poets: The Cup of War'.
Essay in 'Strategy in the Spotlight' compendium.
news.exeter.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
@universityofexeter.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
Essay in 'Strategy in the Spotlight' compendium.
news.exeter.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
@universityofexeter.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
Poetry performance & Q&A with Yaryna Chornohuz, Thurs 13 Nov, Swedenborg Hall, London, WC1A 2TH, 7-9pm.
Sharing [dasein], trans. @aglaser.bsky.social published by @jantarbooks.bsky.social
With @ukrinstitute.bsky.social
www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrai...
Sharing [dasein], trans. @aglaser.bsky.social published by @jantarbooks.bsky.social
With @ukrinstitute.bsky.social
www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrai...
Select tickets – Defending the human in war poetry – Swedenborg Society
Defending the human in war poetry – Swedenborg Society, Thu 13 Nov 2025 - What does it mean to write poetry on the front line of the bloodiest war in Europe since the Second World War?
Join the Ukrain...
www.tickettailor.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Poetry performance & Q&A with Yaryna Chornohuz, Thurs 13 Nov, Swedenborg Hall, London, WC1A 2TH, 7-9pm.
Sharing [dasein], trans. @aglaser.bsky.social published by @jantarbooks.bsky.social
With @ukrinstitute.bsky.social
www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrai...
Sharing [dasein], trans. @aglaser.bsky.social published by @jantarbooks.bsky.social
With @ukrinstitute.bsky.social
www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrai...
Poetry performance & Q&A, Exeter Phoenix, Tues 11 Nov, 7.15-9.15pm, sharing [dasein: defence of presence] trans by @aglaser.bsky.social published by @jantarbooks.bsky.social
With @exetercityoflit.bsky.social
exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/defen...
With @exetercityoflit.bsky.social
exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/defen...
Defending the Human in War Poetry - Exeter Phoenix
Join the Ukrainian servicewoman, Yaryna Chornohuz, to hear her work written under fire while saving lives as a combat medic.
exeterphoenix.org.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Poetry performance & Q&A, Exeter Phoenix, Tues 11 Nov, 7.15-9.15pm, sharing [dasein: defence of presence] trans by @aglaser.bsky.social published by @jantarbooks.bsky.social
With @exetercityoflit.bsky.social
exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/defen...
With @exetercityoflit.bsky.social
exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/defen...
'War poetry as existential defence', for @beinghumanfest.bsky.social, the UK's national festival of the humanities.
Join prize-winning poet and Marine, drone operator and life-saving combat medic Yaryna Chornohuz in Exeter and London, 10-13 November 2025.
www.beinghumanfestival.org/war-poetry-e...
Join prize-winning poet and Marine, drone operator and life-saving combat medic Yaryna Chornohuz in Exeter and London, 10-13 November 2025.
www.beinghumanfestival.org/war-poetry-e...
War Poetry as Existential Defence
Led by the University of Exeter
www.beinghumanfestival.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:06 PM
'War poetry as existential defence', for @beinghumanfest.bsky.social, the UK's national festival of the humanities.
Join prize-winning poet and Marine, drone operator and life-saving combat medic Yaryna Chornohuz in Exeter and London, 10-13 November 2025.
www.beinghumanfestival.org/war-poetry-e...
Join prize-winning poet and Marine, drone operator and life-saving combat medic Yaryna Chornohuz in Exeter and London, 10-13 November 2025.
www.beinghumanfestival.org/war-poetry-e...
"The most basic dimension of the human experience of war is love. Your first duty is to defend your loved ones. There is nothing political about it. You don’t have to think about Putin to know where your duty lies." - Artur Dron'.
kyivdesk.com/2025/11/08/t...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
kyivdesk.com/2025/11/08/t...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
The young man at the front. A conversation with Artur Dron.
Hemingway used to say that “tomorrow’s literature will be written by young authors we know nothing about.” Not exactly. We know that Artur Dron (Артур Дронь) enlisted before reaching the legal age …
kyivdesk.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"The most basic dimension of the human experience of war is love. Your first duty is to defend your loved ones. There is nothing political about it. You don’t have to think about Putin to know where your duty lies." - Artur Dron'.
kyivdesk.com/2025/11/08/t...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
kyivdesk.com/2025/11/08/t...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@yarachornohuz.bsky.social dasein: defence of presence, trans by @aglaser.bsky.social with the poet Fiona Benson and me, released in the UK today, available from @jantarbooks.bsky.social and selected bookshops!
October 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
@yarachornohuz.bsky.social dasein: defence of presence, trans by @aglaser.bsky.social with the poet Fiona Benson and me, released in the UK today, available from @jantarbooks.bsky.social and selected bookshops!
"Beloved poets, beloved city, I am praying for an end to Russian aggression, I am wishing you safe from harm." - Fiona Benson in 'The Guardian' on our trip to Lviv BookForum.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
‘After the reading, the poets hold each other’: what happens when Ukraine’s largest literary festival comes under Russian attack
Fiona Benson was invited to Lviv’s BookForum by Ukrainian poet-soldier Artur Dron’. She recounts falling in love with the city and its thriving literary culture, before an air raid siren sounds
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"Beloved poets, beloved city, I am praying for an end to Russian aggression, I am wishing you safe from harm." - Fiona Benson in 'The Guardian' on our trip to Lviv BookForum.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Advanced copies of @yarachornohuz.bsky.social [dasein: defence of presence], translated by @aglaser.bsky.social available from @jantarbooks.bsky.social with free postage in UK.
www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page...
www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page...
[dasein: defence of presence] | jantarpublishing.com
“Ms. Chornohuz’s story is emblematic of a poetry boom that has swept Ukraine during the war with Russia.” – The New York Times “One of Ukraine’s most celebrated poets.” – The Guardian Yaryna Chornohuz...
www.jantarpublishing.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Advanced copies of @yarachornohuz.bsky.social [dasein: defence of presence], translated by @aglaser.bsky.social available from @jantarbooks.bsky.social with free postage in UK.
www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page...
www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page...
Reposted by Hugh Roberts
Writers, artists and MPs have urged the Royal Ballet and Opera House to drop the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko from its new season. The singer is a “longtime symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime that Is responsible for serious war crimes” they write www.theguardian.com/music/2025/a...
Royal Ballet and Opera house urged to drop Russian soprano with Putin links
Exclusive: MPs and Ukrainian artists sign letter saying Anna Netrebko is ‘symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime responsible for war crimes’
www.theguardian.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Writers, artists and MPs have urged the Royal Ballet and Opera House to drop the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko from its new season. The singer is a “longtime symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime that Is responsible for serious war crimes” they write www.theguardian.com/music/2025/a...
Important conversation between the poets Yuliya Musakovska (Ukraine) and Quaz Roodt (South Africa).
"Literaturre can help us look into the eyes of the other and see there an image — an always new and unexpected image — of ourselves."
ukraineworld.org/en/articles/...
"Literaturre can help us look into the eyes of the other and see there an image — an always new and unexpected image — of ourselves."
ukraineworld.org/en/articles/...
We are here, we will not be forgotten: South Africa and Ukraine in dialogue through literature
The dialogue between Yuliya Musakovska and Quaz Roodt.
ukraineworld.org
August 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Important conversation between the poets Yuliya Musakovska (Ukraine) and Quaz Roodt (South Africa).
"Literaturre can help us look into the eyes of the other and see there an image — an always new and unexpected image — of ourselves."
ukraineworld.org/en/articles/...
"Literaturre can help us look into the eyes of the other and see there an image — an always new and unexpected image — of ourselves."
ukraineworld.org/en/articles/...
Reposted by Hugh Roberts
Meet Shraik, the wild kestrel who attacked a Russian drone mid-flight.
Wounded but alive, he was rescued by Ukrainian soldiers & underwent surgery.
Recovery will be long. His rescuers paid for everything. He is one of them now.
Now he rests. One day, he’ll fly again—over free Ukrainian skies.
Wounded but alive, he was rescued by Ukrainian soldiers & underwent surgery.
Recovery will be long. His rescuers paid for everything. He is one of them now.
Now he rests. One day, he’ll fly again—over free Ukrainian skies.
July 6, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Meet Shraik, the wild kestrel who attacked a Russian drone mid-flight.
Wounded but alive, he was rescued by Ukrainian soldiers & underwent surgery.
Recovery will be long. His rescuers paid for everything. He is one of them now.
Now he rests. One day, he’ll fly again—over free Ukrainian skies.
Wounded but alive, he was rescued by Ukrainian soldiers & underwent surgery.
Recovery will be long. His rescuers paid for everything. He is one of them now.
Now he rests. One day, he’ll fly again—over free Ukrainian skies.
Reposted by Hugh Roberts
Here's my report from Kyiv after last night's huge Russian attack. As one Ukrainian adviser put it Putin is "publicly humiliating" Donald Trump after their phone call yesterday. The US strategy of appeasing Russia doesn't work - and civilians are paying the price www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 14, triggers multiple fires, mayor says
Seven-hour assault prompts Ukraine to accuse Putin of humiliating Trump hours after the two men spoke by phone
www.theguardian.com
July 4, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Here's my report from Kyiv after last night's huge Russian attack. As one Ukrainian adviser put it Putin is "publicly humiliating" Donald Trump after their phone call yesterday. The US strategy of appeasing Russia doesn't work - and civilians are paying the price www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Reposted by Hugh Roberts
Massive Russian drone attack in Kyiv right now. You can hear the moped-like whine of drones flying above the centre of the city - one, two, then many more - followed by booms and machine gun fire from Ukrainian units trying to shoot them down. This is Putin’s war, of course - but also Trump’s ..
July 3, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Massive Russian drone attack in Kyiv right now. You can hear the moped-like whine of drones flying above the centre of the city - one, two, then many more - followed by booms and machine gun fire from Ukrainian units trying to shoot them down. This is Putin’s war, of course - but also Trump’s ..
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social of @ukrinstitute.bsky.social 'We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain', talk at the University of Exeter now available on YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueww...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueww...
We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain
YouTube video by University of Exeter
www.youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social of @ukrinstitute.bsky.social 'We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain', talk at the University of Exeter now available on YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueww...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueww...
Nicole Yurtsaba's review of Artur Dron, 'We Were Here', trans. by Yuliya Musakovska.
'Every publication by a Ukrainian writer is a means of survival, a contribution to cultural preservation, and a stand against centuries-long Russian imperialism'
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/july/we...
'Every publication by a Ukrainian writer is a means of survival, a contribution to cultural preservation, and a stand against centuries-long Russian imperialism'
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/july/we...
We Were Here by Artur Dron
Trans. Yuliya Musakovska. Jantar. 2024. 101 pages.
worldliteraturetoday.org
June 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Nicole Yurtsaba's review of Artur Dron, 'We Were Here', trans. by Yuliya Musakovska.
'Every publication by a Ukrainian writer is a means of survival, a contribution to cultural preservation, and a stand against centuries-long Russian imperialism'
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/july/we...
'Every publication by a Ukrainian writer is a means of survival, a contribution to cultural preservation, and a stand against centuries-long Russian imperialism'
worldliteraturetoday.org/2025/july/we...
Important article by my friend and colleague, the great Ukrainian poet and cultural advocate, Yuliya Musakovska.
english.mathrubhumi.com/features/spe...
english.mathrubhumi.com/features/spe...
A voice from Ukraine: A poet’s war against darkness
As a poet, I should believe in the power of poetry to change lives, but I’m under no illusion
english.mathrubhumi.com
June 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Important article by my friend and colleague, the great Ukrainian poet and cultural advocate, Yuliya Musakovska.
english.mathrubhumi.com/features/spe...
english.mathrubhumi.com/features/spe...
June 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-are-war...
REMINDER to book and join in-person or online next week for @okhromeychuk.bsky.social's extremely timely talk.
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
REMINDER to book and join in-person or online next week for @okhromeychuk.bsky.social's extremely timely talk.
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain
Dr Olesya Khromeychuk delivers this talk on the ways in which war transforms language, literature, and those who bear witness.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/we-are-war...
REMINDER to book and join in-person or online next week for @okhromeychuk.bsky.social's extremely timely talk.
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
REMINDER to book and join in-person or online next week for @okhromeychuk.bsky.social's extremely timely talk.
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
Artur Dron', 'We Were Here' book launch recording.
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
youtu.be/9LBJDQthK3c?...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
youtu.be/9LBJDQthK3c?...
Book Launch: Artur Dron', We Were Here
YouTube video by University of Exeter
youtu.be
May 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Artur Dron', 'We Were Here' book launch recording.
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
youtu.be/9LBJDQthK3c?...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
youtu.be/9LBJDQthK3c?...
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social 'We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain' talk @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social 4 June, 5-5pm + reception and book signing
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social 'We Are War: On Bearing Witness and Sharing Pain' talk @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social 4 June, 5-5pm + reception and book signing
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social 'Trigger Warning: A Workshop on Writing Pain' @exeterphoenix.bsky.social 3 June 5-6.30pm
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
@okhromeychuk.bsky.social 'Trigger Warning: A Workshop on Writing Pain' @exeterphoenix.bsky.social 3 June 5-6.30pm
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
Artur Dron, 'We Were Here' book launch - 5.30pm (UK time) tomorrow (6 May). Join on Zoom: universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/9133140895...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
May 5, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Artur Dron, 'We Were Here' book launch - 5.30pm (UK time) tomorrow (6 May). Join on Zoom: universityofexeter.zoom.us/j/9133140895...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@uniofexeternews.bsky.social on Artur Dron, 'We Were Here'.
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
@exetercityoflit.bsky.social
@mcrcityoflit.bsky.social
@ukrinstitute.bsky.social
@uniofexeterhass.bsky.social
news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...
Exeter experts support Ukrainian poet and soldier Artur Dron to share experiences of the war from the front line and beyond
Exeter experts are supporting renowned Ukrainian poet turned soldier Artur Dron to share the experiences of those fighting on Europe’s front line. Artur Dron has had to endure multiple operations and ...
news.exeter.ac.uk
April 23, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Reposted by Hugh Roberts
Marina Ponomarenko is a tremendous Ukrainian poetess. Here is a poem she wrote on 24 December 2024, and my translation.
April 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Marina Ponomarenko is a tremendous Ukrainian poetess. Here is a poem she wrote on 24 December 2024, and my translation.