The Odessa National Scientific Library secured first place in the annual competition held by Goethe-Institut Ukraine among partner libraries. The German reading room was recognized for its vibrant cultural initiatives implemented throughout 2024. Library director Irina Biryukova shared insights about the project, participation, and victory in an interview with Suspilne.
The German reading room at the Odessa Scientific Library emerged as the best among fifteen partner libraries of Goethe-Institut in Ukraine. The evaluation highlighted both the sustainability and diversity of activities: from educational meetings and language courses to children's games, music, and literary new arrivals.
As a reward, Goethe-Institut presented a collection of books in Ukrainian from the "Best Book Design" series, as well as new editions for the "German Shelf" — a permanent display of contemporary German literature.
Recognition and Support
Special acknowledgment was given to the team and librarian of the German room, Victoria Zayets, who had an internship in Germany. The German reading room is part of a larger library network. Each year focuses on a new space, and this time, Odessa was highlighted. However, the key point is not the title itself, but the ongoing progress, noted library director Irina Biryukova:
"It's not about winning. It's about the opportunity to be useful to people — and to change the world around us through knowledge."
Daily Work, Not Just Participation
The victory in the competition was not the goal, as traditional participation formats were absent, shared Irina Biryukova. According to her, librarians simply did what they do best — organized events, training, and cultural meetings, even working during wartime.
"There was no specific competition we applied for. We were just doing our job. The project has been running for 25 years: a tripartite agreement was made between the library, Goethe-Institut, and the organization 'Bavarian House Odessa,' which provided the space for meetings. The project evolved, and we integrated all the resources available at the library: human, spatial, and technical," Biryukova emphasized.
Demand has not diminished, the director assured — on the contrary, it has increased: people are seeking knowledge, communication, and support.
A Bridge Between Cultures
Today, the German reading room is not just about language courses or bookshelves but a full-fledged space for intercultural interaction: with books, music, cuisine, and traditions.
"This is indeed a project far broader than simple library work or providing information-library services. It's about a deeper process: understanding culture in all its forms, the partner country's culture through literature, music, and familiarization with intangible cultural heritage, such as culinary history," explains Biryukova.
Meetings take place for people of all ages: fairy tales are read for the little ones, while discussions, training, and themed events are held for older audiences. And all of this is provided free of charge.
