Soon after her first visit to Ukraine four years ago, Charlotte Higgins began language lessons, an experience that taught her more than she ever expected. The journey is detailed in a new podcast episode of The Audio Long Read.
War's Influence on Lessons
In the episode, Higgins reflects on how the war leaked into every lesson, shaping her understanding of the country under siege. The piece is written and read by Higgins herself.
Upcoming Event and Publication
On Wednesday 30 September, Higgins will join a panel of acclaimed Ukrainian writers, including Olia Hercules, Sasha Dovzhyk, Olesya Khromeychuk, and Shaun Walker, to discuss the profound connections between war, art, and life. Tickets are available for the event.
The podcast is an adapted extract from Higgins' book, Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War, published on 20 August by Jonathan Cape. The Guardian's illustration is by Nataliia Shulga. The episode is part of The Audio Long Read, and a text version is also available.
