Life in Spite of Everything: Stories and Songs from Ukraine
with Victoria Donovan and Michael Alpert
Monimail Tower (details below)
July 20th
2-4pm
FREE (ticketed) / suitable for all ages
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
20 липня
14:00-16:00
Вежа Монімейл
Безкоштовно, але забронюйте квиток через Eventbrite
Join us for an afternoon of stories and songs from Ukraine to mark the publication of Victoria Donovan’s critically acclaimed book, “Life in Spite of Everything: Tales from the Ukrainian East” (Daunt Books, 2025).
Приєднуйтесь до нас у Monimail Tower, щоб пообідніше розповідати історії та пісні з України, щоб відзначити публікацію книги Вікторії Донован «Життя всупереч усьому: Розповіді зі сходу України» (Daunt Books, 2025).
A book written “with love, knowledge, and care” (Serhii Plokhy) and described as an “an emotional and very engaging requiem” (Andrey Kurkov), “Life in Spite of Everything” is a cultural portrait of eastern Ukraine.
‘War is not central to this work. It is a story of people and nature, filled with sweet and bitter memories, empathy and hope.’ Observer
‘Shines a spotlight on a part of the world most of us know only from scenes of death and destruction on the television news.’ Sunday Times
Victoria Donovan is Professor of Ukrainian and East European Studies at the University of St Andrews, and resident of Cupar. She is joined for this event by the renowned klezmer musician and Yiddish singer, Michael Alpert.
Venue
The event takes place outside in the garden at Monimail Tower, and is free to attend.
Please bring a blanket or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish! The event is BYOB.
Where is Monimail Tower?
Monimail Tower is approximately 5 miles outside of Cupar. You can access by car (details below), though we also encourage arriving by bicycle or a hearty walk over the fields`! If you need transportation from Cupar, please email team@cupararts.org, and we will try to arrange a car share for you.
Driving directions: If you come from Letham, follow the Monimail Tower signs when entering Monimail. It is first turn left through stone gate saying North Lodge. If you come from Collessie, it will be the last turn right before you leave the village.
Parking: Monimail Tower has limited parking capacity; please consider car sharing or take a public transport. If you do come by car, please don’t park at the village but at the sign-posted Monimail Tower car park. The event volunteers will direct you if the space becomes too full.
Public Transport: There is no direct public transport to Monimail but there is a bus to Letham which is 15 min walk. Alternatively, you can use FlexiBus.
