Head of Rospechat Mikhail Seslavinsky, Director of LBF Alistair Burtenshaw, Director of Academia Rossica
Svetlana Adjoubei, translator Victor Prokofiev, Russian Ambassador Yury Fedotov
Russian Literature Week
20-26 April 2009
The most significant annual project for the promotion of Russian language and literature in Great Britain – the Daily Telegraph
You might expect Russian literature week to marginalise such a dangerous satirist, but in fact it treats Dmitri Bykov as its biggest star – the Guardian
Building on the momentum of past successes, Russian Literature Week 2009, which finished on the 25th April, proved to be a fascinating experience for all those involved. It saw discussions, arguments and engagement amongst some of the finest minds of contemporary Russian writers, their Russian readers in the UK and numerous English figures - from experts to the idly curious.
From Dmitri Bykov’s rambunctious poems to the elegance of Mikhail Shishkin’s arguments, the wonderful song-poetry of Vadim Mesyats and the charming self-deprecation of Alexander Terekhov, the audience at the daily events hosted by Europe’s largest bookshop (Waterstone’s Piccadilly) enjoyed a very personal glimpse into some of those working at the heart of Russia’s literary efflorescence.
The writers did not, however, simply confine themselves to literature – and the topics under discussion ranged across, amongst other things, the state of Russian politics, the dangers of journalism, the role of the intelligentsia, education, the viability of translation and, in Olga Slavnikova’s talk, the geological variety of Russia’s Ural Mountains. With doses of fatalism and pessimism alongside real hopes and recognition of change, there were both similarities and striking differences between how the visiting writers understood Russia and the world in the 21st century.
The other arm of Russian Literature Week 2009 was Academia Rossica’s ‘Books From Russia’ stand at the London Book Fair. As well as being a forum for the growing strengths of Russian publishing, this global literary and publishing festival provided another showcase for the visiting writers. Amidst the stylish white walls and tasteful colours of the ‘Books From Russia’ stand, writers, publishers, critics, politicians, ambassadors and directors from both Russia and the UK congregated, conversed and sought innovative ways of promoting the best of modern Russian culture. Such a meeting place facilitated the nurturing of commercial enterprises between Britain and Russia and helped to cement and develop Anglo-Russian links.
A further exciting aspect of the week was the announcement of the Rossica Translation Prize shortlist at a special event during the London Book Fair. This prize, the only award for Russian to English translation in the world and a perfect exemplar of Academia Rossica’s work, saw 7 works shortlisted by authors from Dostoevsky to Pelevin.
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See what the press had to say about Literature Week, in both England and Russia |
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Liza is a well-known literary critic who came over for Russian Literature Week. She has published more than one thousand articles and reviews, and here shares her views on Russian writers and publishers at the London Book Fair. |
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Dmitry Bykov, writer, journalist, intellectual and all-round tour de force shares his impressions of the London Book Fair. |
