Book Arsenal
The largest literary and artistic festival in Ukraine takes place annually at the end of May — beginning of June at Mystetskyi Arsenal. It was first held in 2011. Since then, nearly half a thousand authors from over fifty countries have taken part in the international program. Every year, around 200 Ukrainian publishers present their books at the exhibition-fair. In different years, curators of thematic programs have included Oksana Zabuzhko, Serhiy Zhadan, Andriy Kurkov, Liubov Morozova, Alla Zagaykevych, Iryna Slavinska, and others.
In 2019, Book Arsenal gained international recognition, winning the London Book Fair award for “Best Literary Festival of the Year.”
Today, the festival spans over 20,000 square meters of exhibition space, includes around 450 events, presents over a thousand new books, and gathers over 55,000 visitors annually. Its mission is to create a welcoming space for interaction between people, communities, institutions, and to represent the book in all its forms.
KyivBookFest
KyivBookFest is a new-format book festival held in the fall at Gorodok Gallery near the "Pochaina" metro station. The event combines a literary fair for readers with a professional forum for publishers. On the lower level, you’ll find booths from participating publishers, while the upper floors host panel discussions, presentations, author meet-and-greets, and music events. Entry to the exhibition area is free, making the festival especially attractive for those looking to buy books directly from publishers and interact with authors.
The second festival took place in 2024 and brought together over 130 participants and more than 200 events. The program included industry lectures, literary meetings, autograph sessions, poetry readings, and a separate section for children. The evening atmosphere was enriched by performances from Orchestra 59, Remez, the band “Braty Hadyukiny,” and the ethno-rock group “Viy.”
"Book Country" at VDNH
Every autumn, VDNH becomes the center of the capital’s literary life: the “Book Country” festival takes place here, combining fair pavilions with open-air literary stages. This is a family-friendly event with a large children's program — from interactive readings and workshops to games, educational discussions, and meetings with writers.
In 2025, the festival was held from September 25 to 28 and featured over 400 events in its program. Around 100 Ukrainian publishers and bookstores presented their publications, and “Book Country” became an opportunity to discover new names, find literary novelties, and speak with authors directly.
Each year, organizers select a central theme. In 2025, it was “Autumn Harvest,” reflected both in the artistic design and in the selection of discussion topics. The festival’s atmosphere combines the energy of a large fair with intimate gatherings and family leisure time right among the VDNH pavilions.
Festival "FUNDAMENT: Stories About Culture"
This is a new book festival for the Kyiv scene, held at the Ukrainian House, focusing on books about culture — from nonfiction to research publications. The first “FUNDAMENT” took place on November 14–17, 2024, and the second edition is scheduled for October 23–26, 2025.
This year’s focus theme is “Stories About Travel,” where the book is seen primarily as a guide on an intellectual journey: through words and imagination, ideas and categories, research and dreams. The program includes five key components: a book fair on culture, the “Journey” space with books and artifacts about travel and cartography, a public program with lectures and presentations, art exhibitions, and special projects — from youth initiatives to a rare book collection from the “Fundament” bookstore.
Palace of Arts «Ukrainian House»
2, Khreschatyk St, Kyiv
Literary Evenings at Drip Coffee Buffet
Drip Coffee Buffet on Velyka Vasylkivska Street is a café that has transformed into a venue for poetry readings and intimate literary gatherings. Regular events include new book launches, evenings with young authors, and reading clubs.
The atmosphere is as informal as it gets: coffee, a glass of wine, and poetry performed live. For Kyiv’s literary scene, it’s one of the few truly cozy and accessible spaces.
Events at the Museum of Outstanding Figures of Ukrainian Culture
The Museum of Outstanding Figures of Ukrainian Culture — which includes the memorial houses of Lesya Ukrainka, Mykola Lysenko, and Mykhailo Starytsky — regularly hosts themed tours, exhibitions, concerts, lectures, children’s programs, and more.
Every third Thursday of the month, the museum organizes an Open House Day — a great opportunity to combine visiting the memorial exhibitions with live events. Thanks to the combination of cultural heritage and contemporary literary happenings, the museum has become a unique platform for readers and authors alike.
Museum of the outstanding figures of Ukrainian culture
97, Saksahanskoho St, Kyiv
Events at the "Ye Bookstore" Chain
“Ye Bookstore” is one of the most renowned book chains in the country, which has long transformed into a cultural venue. In Kyiv, it regularly hosts book launches, discussions, poetry evenings, and author meetups. The event calendar features both autograph sessions with popular writers and intimate children’s readings.
The first location on Lysenka Street offers a two-story space with a coffee zone, a children’s room, and an event stage. This is the primary spot for literary evenings, interactive presentations, and large-scale discussions.
One of the network’s latest projects is “Ye Difference,” a charity initiative collecting books for libraries in de-occupied and frontline areas. It was launched in collaboration with blogger Emma Antoniuk, who hosts public interviews with notable speakers at the Lysenka 3 bookstore. To attend the event, visitors buy two books of their choice — these purchases immediately contribute to library collections that particularly lack modern literature.
Events are also held in other bookstores of the chain throughout Kyiv — including the one in Obolon. This format allows the chain to remain not only a retail platform but also a space for open dialogue on culture.
Literary Evenings at "Syayvo Knyhy"
“Syayvo Knyhy” is the oldest bookstore in Kyiv, soon to celebrate its 80th anniversary. Its history dates back to 1944, when a small bookstore was opened in the newly liberated capital. Over time, it became a significant cultural hub, hosting literary evenings with Ostap Vyshnia, Pavlo Tychyna, and Maksym Rylsky.
In 2020, the bookstore added “Syayvo Kavy” — a café that later merged into a bookstore-café format. Today, it’s a space that combines a literary atmosphere with the coziness of a coffee shop, hosting book launches, public discussions, and intimate literary evenings. “Syayvo Knyhy” remains not just a bookstore but a point of attraction for anyone in Kyiv seeking a live connection with literature.
Events at the "Sens" Bookstore Chain
“Sens” is a modern literary platform with two locations in Kyiv: near the Arsenalna metro station and on Khreshchatyk. The first bookstore opened in December 2021 — just weeks before the full-scale invasion — but managed to survive, retain its team, and gain popularity among Kyivans.
The philosophy of “Sens,” according to founder Oleksii Erinchak, rests on three “pillars”: promoting the Ukrainian language and literature, encouraging children’s reading, and offering a curated selection of books on urban studies. The Arsenalna location even includes a “secret room” — a children’s area where kids can stay while adults browse the books.
In 2023, “Sens” launched a YouTube project called “Talks with Sens” — a series of interviews by literary scholar Anastasiia Yevdokymova with writers, critics, and publishers discussing modern literature and reading practices.
The second location on Khreshchatyk is a three-level space of over 1,500 m². It features a café, reading area, and children’s space. The selection includes books from Ukrainian publishers, foreign-language literature, a wide range of non-fiction, and even souvenirs with the bookstore’s branding. This location also hosts cultural events, book presentations, public discussions, and press conferences — making “Sens” one of Kyiv’s key literary centers today.
Sense Bookstore on Khreshchatyk
34 Khreshchatyk St.
After a book festival or presentation, you can head to a karaoke venue with friends. These days, karaoke isn’t just about microphones and stages — it’s about entertainment that brings energy and shared memories. We've already put together a selection of such places — check out the article “Top Karaoke Spots in Kyiv: Where to Sing with Friends”.
