Honoring Adygea’s First Hero of the Soviet Union: New Children's Book Unveiled at the Red Square Book Festival

The publishing house of Adyghe University presented a children's book that tells the story of the life and heroism of Khusen Andrukhaev, who became the first Soviet writer and the first Adyghe to be awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War. The book will be introduced to Adyghe readers at the end of June during a presentation scheduled at Adyghe State University.
 
The book, titled "Khusen Andrukhaev," was published as part of a special series called "Children's Literature from Adyghe." It is the first children's book to depict, in the format of illustrated stories, the childhood, youth, and heroic deeds of Khusen Andrukhaev. The work was created by writers Leyla Kurashinova and Sultan Siyukhov, with illustrations by artist Ekaterina Nesvetailo.
 
- The image of Khusen Andrukhaev is immortalized in literary works, but most of these are intended for an adult audience. The book Khusen Andrukhaev, published by the Publishing House of Adyghe University, is the first to focus on his childhood, youth, and heroic deed, specifically designed for young readers. It is presented in the form of illustrated stories, which are very popular among children and young people, said Fatima Tlyusten, head of the Publishing House of the University of Adyghe.
 
Khusen Andrukhaev is an iconic figure not only for Adygea. His heroic act became one of the most celebrated episodes of the Great Patriotic War. On November 8, 1941, during a fierce battle on the outskirts of the village of Dyakovo near Lugansk, he sacrificed himself by blowing up himself along with dozens of fascists who had surrounded him, using a bundle of anti-tank grenades, while uttering the famous phrase: "Russians do not surrender!" The heroism of the Adyghe poet inspired soldiers of the Red Army during the war and continues to serve as a symbol of courage and selfless service to the Motherland. Today, the Maykop Third Artillery Division, which carries out combat missions in the SVO zone as part of the legendary 227th Artillery Brigade, bears Khusen Andrukhaev’s name.
 
More than 400 publishing houses are participating in the XI Book Festival "Red Square," held in Moscow from June 4 to 7. Adygea is represented at this major literary event by the Publishing House of Adyghe University. The publishing house’s stand, located on the "Regions of Russia" site in Pavilion 8 (Place 2), features 16 children's books in Russian and Adyghe, including bilingual editions from the "Children's Literature from Adygea" series.