Jan. 16, 2026, 6:44 p.m.
(PHOTO COLLAGE: Intent)
Valeriy Puzik, a writer from Odesa, won the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Prize for the best coverage of military topics in works of literature and art in 2025.
As the writer himself said, it was a surprise for him.
"Every day I learn something new: this year's Bohdan Khmelnytsky Prize has been awarded: in the nomination "Literary works on military topics" to writer Valeriy Puzik for his book "With Love, Dad!".
"See also: Why are there so many Pushkin's? What is wrong with this city: writer Puzik about Odesa"
The collection of essays "Love, Dad!" is a book written on the front line, as a kind of conversation between a father and his son, who remains far away but at the same time is always close, in the heart. It does not contain battle scenes or descriptions of battles. The book is conceived by the author as a living testimony to the historical events taking place in Ukraine.
Valeriy Puzik is a Ukrainian artist, writer, and director. He is the author of the books "With Love, Dad", "Stray Dogs", "Monolith", "I Saw Him Alive, Dead and Alive Again", "Mine. Morning Report", co-author of the book "Our Seals. Blindage".
Every year, since 2009, on the occasion of the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on December 6, a committee consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Union of Writers, the National Union of Journalists and other creative unions operating on a voluntary basis awards the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Prize for the best coverage of military topics in works of literature and art in several nominations.
In 2025, in addition to Valeriy Puzik, the winners of the award were
The prize is awarded for works of literature and art, journalism and publicism.
Кирило Бойко