Helsinki: The Parents’ Day. Dmitry Petrov talks about his book and about his son
Submitted by Редакция on 15 October, 2025 - 14:22
3.11, at Ulrika (Leppäsuonkatu 11) at 6:30 PM.
Dmitry Petrov Senior – writer, journalist, and anarchist activist – presents his book The Parents’ Day. It tells the story of his son, Dmitry Petrov (Leshy) Junior, a Russian anarchist and volunteer who went to fight for Ukraine and went missing while defending Bakhmut. The book also explores the stories of other international volunteers, Kyiv amidst the war, death and life, and endless love.
The Parents’ Day by Dmitry Petrov is a profound story of our times. It shows the war both on the battlefield map and within the human heart.
A father tries to comprehend the choice of his son — a volunteer who went missing in action while defending Bakhmut from Putin’s invaders. Their direct and mental dialogues, torn apart by war, are attempts to break through ideologies and pain to find a bridge between duty, love, and the abyss of misunderstanding. How does one speak to a son when his choice leads him directly into the epicenter of tragedy?
This is a deeply poetic work — yet it is not an author’s invention. The novelette was written by Dmitry Petrov Senior, reflecting on the true story of his son, Dmitry (Leshy) Petrov Junior — an ethnologist, historian, volunteer, and anarchist who remained true to his convictions until the end. This personal tragedy gives the story unprecedented depth.
A true and honest story for those willing to reflect on the value and price of belief, duty, and freedom of choice — without expecting easy answers.
Book presentation in English, with translation into Finnish and Russian if needed.
You may also join the discussion on the A-ryhmä Twitch channel (please note: commenting and asking questions requires registration, and there is no English interpretation available on the channel). A recording will be available on A-ryhmä’s YouTube channel and on podcast platforms.
The lecture will take place in a wheelchair-accessible space. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is available on the same floor.
