The first discussion, Working Across Time: Memory, Identity, and History, co-organised with the Austrian Cultural Forum, featured Austrian writer Valerie Fritsch and a Ukrainian author, and was moderated by Indian critic Murtaza Ali Khan. The conversation focused on historical memory, Ukrainian identity, and resistance to Russian aggression. The speakers emphasised that Ukraine is an independent historical subject, and that the war is a continuation of Russia’s neocolonial policy. Examples of everyday life during the full-scale invasion were also discussed, including strikes on energy infrastructure. 

On the final day of the fair, the Ukrainian event concluded the official programme. The discussion brought together Yuliia Musakovska, Liubko Deresh, Subarnno Chattarji, and Nidhish Tyagi. Moderated by Chattarji, the conversation explored writing as a form of resistance and healing, the destruction of Ukrainian culture and language, twentieth-century repression, and murdered Ukrainian artists. The framing of the war as a stage in Russia’s colonial policy resonated strongly with the Indian audience. 

The event included readings in Ukrainian with translations into English and Hindi. Ukraine’s participation in the fair reaffirmed the role of Ukrainian literature as a tool for cultural dialogue with India.