A Free Man in Captivity

A history and religion scholar, contemporary philosopher, poet, big-hearted Ukrainian, and a man of vast knowledge and profound wisdom – this is how we remember Ihor Kozlovskyi. For nearly two years, he had been tortured in captivity of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, but even under such circumstances, he managed to maintain dignity and internal freedom. For him, this very freedom is a choice, a joy, and a means of struggle. His mission was to teach others how to be free people. You always wanted to listen to Ihor Kozlovskyi to inspire, to change yourself, to get a lesson of love.

The impetus for creation of the remembrance book came from one of Ihor Kozlovskyi’s last interviews made in 2023 to mark the National Flag Day of Ukraine. At the presentation, Anna Gruver, the editor of the book, told that she had first considered this work exhausting, but in the end, it empowered her.

"I collected different fragments to make an integral text of them. By doing this, I wanted to recreate the atmosphere of a conversation with Ihor Kozlovskyi which his every interlocutor, lecture attendee or student could relate to. I wanted to recreate his human speech addressed to us," Anna Gruver said.

The book includes fragments of materials published in the Ukrainian media, yet it is not a monologue compiled from different interviews. It is rather a dialogue, live conversation with a reader. It is a chance to talk about what’s important in life, to find answers to your own questions and get inspired by Ihor Kozlovskyi’s wise precept.