Others

Our publishing house strives to introduce you to the various cultures, countries, and regions of Asia. We recognize the challenge of presenting this incredibly diverse and captivating continent to readers. However, we have unique publications that offer a glimpse into this mysterious world.

One of our first publications is the illustrated «Himalayan stories: Tales from Tibet, Ladakh, Bhutan, and Sikkim», which introduces us to the folklore of these four historical regions of the Himalayas. Tibet was an independent kingdom from the 7th century until 1950. Ladakh and Sikkim were independent principalities and, after being under the protectorate of various states, have been part of India since 1975. The independent Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is the only country in the world with a Ministry of Happiness.

Neighboring India is a country of unparalleled diversity and rich cultural heritage. From the snowy Himalayas in the north to the tropical coasts in the south, India's cultural landscape is as diverse as its geography. In this vast country, over 1.4 billion people contribute to a cultural mosaic, blending languages, religions, and arts.

India’s Jain community, although making up only 0.4% of the population, practices Jainism, one of the three major religions of India. You can learn about this religion in our publication «Aspects of Jaina religion». Jainism advocates the principle of ahimsa—non-violence towards all living beings—most comprehensively and consistently. Ahimsa has influenced not only Indian religious life but also its political sphere. Mahatma Gandhi, in his fight for India’s independence, relied on ahimsa, becoming a leading figure in non-violent resistance.

The other two major religions of India are Hinduism and Buddhism. You can explore the art of these religions in our publication «The Art of Asia and the Islamic World», which showcases the Eastern treasures of the Khanenko Museum. The museum houses a small collection of Hindu art and religious artworks from Buddhism, including thangka paintings (art on fabric) from Tibetan, Mongolian, and Kalmyk schools.

Another section of the book is dedicated to Islamic art. It’s impossible to separate Asia and the Islamic world, as Islamic and Asian cultures have coexisted for millennia. The Khanenko Museum’s Islamic collection contains around 900 objects, with a focus on the art of Iran from the 10th to the 17th centuries.

At the same time, the Islamic world extends far beyond Asia, covering North Africa and part of Europe. Our publication «A Women’s Emirate? Female Politicians of the Muslim World» discusses, among other things, feminism and women’s rights in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and more. Notably, the book highlights the political traditions of Crimean Tatar women after 1917. The granting of political rights to women on the Crimean Peninsula in 1917 was the first instance of political equality between men and women in the Turkic-Muslim world. At that time, four women were elected to the constitutional body—the first Crimean Tatar Kurultai in Crimea.

Thus, from distant India and Tibet, through Persia and Turkey, we arrive at Ukraine. Let this symbolism remind us of the close and long-standing historical ties between Ukraine and the East.

Mykhailo Hrushevsky («On the Threshold of a New Ukraine», 1918):

«…while the school for us must be… regions of Western culture, the field of our activity and our own creativity should be countries that, like Ukraine, have grown under the influence or connections of Eastern culture—countries in our Black Sea orientation, united by the Black Sea as a center of communication and various cultural and political relations. The Eastern heritage, which has deeply embedded itself in our lives—transformed and processed by the reagents of our Western spirit but not eradicated at all—is such a valuable component of Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian life that we have no reason to shun it, weaken it, or even ignore it in the plans of our future life»

«...The Eastern element was and remains very strong and active in our lives, very complex in its components»