Ukrainian Chef Writes Family Memoir as "Act of Resistance" Against War

Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules has written a new book about her family's history. She calls it an act of support for her country during the war with Russia. Hercules, who lives in London, is a cookbook writer and activist. Her new work is titled "Strong Roots: A Memoir of Food, Family and Ukraine." The book tells her family's story across four generations. It moves from life under Soviet rule to Ukraine's present-day conflict. She uses her journalism background and love of food to structure the memoir. Hercules spoke about her motivations in an interview with FRANCE 24's Perspective program. She says documenting her family's past is a way to help her people now. For her, preserving these stories is a direct response to the war.