First Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenskaya read the book “Tribe” by American writer Sebastian Junger and shared her impressions on Telegram on April 25.
“Today, on World Book and Copyright Day, is a good reason to share what you’ve just read. Especially if the book resonates with modern times. For me, this is Sebastian Junger’s book “Tribe,” which touches on many philosophical, psychological and sociological problems,” she said. “The author devoted half of his life to military journalism, visited the hottest spots on the planet. In articles and lectures, he analyzed not only events, but also something deeper – the human psyche and society, who find themselves in extreme, often completely inhuman conditions. And “Tribe” is the result of his many years of work.”
Quoting the writer, the wife of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky noted: what most traumatizes a person is not war and other tragedies, but the alienation of society.
“Veterans really need cohesion and a community that cares and accepts. Connection with the environment is one of Junger’s three basic human needs, along with a sense of competence and independence,” she added. “It’s difficult to define the word “tribe,” but these are the people with whom you must share the last,” writes the author. It is precisely this sense of belonging that is inherent in the military, and it is precisely such a reliable “tribe” that the whole society should become for people with war experience.”
Zelenskaya emphasized that she started reading the book because it “hooked” many Ukrainian military personnel.
“Veterans read it and recommend it in their community. However, I am sure that its audience should be much wider. We all need the book because it reminds us that the feeling of belonging to a group is basic for us. Regardless of whether you are military or civilian. And our society is common. In conditions of defense, this book, of course, is very much about Ukraine and about each of us. We especially need now an understanding of our own emotions – perhaps the strongest in our entire lives. And an understanding of the feelings and needs of others, in particular our defenders,” she shared her thoughts. thoughts.
The First Lady emphasized that Ukrainians need a society in which no one, after what they have experienced, will feel excluded.
