Press Release
On 19 – 25 April ACADEMIA ROSSICA will bring you SLOVO, the Russian Literature Festival that knows no boundaries. Packed with a kaleidoscope of genre-defying events, SLOVO will offer a unique insight into Russian literary culture, presenting not only the foremost contemporary Russian writers and highly opinionated public figures, such as Dmitry Bykov, Sergei Lukyanenko, Olga Slavnikova, Maria Galina and Vladimir Sharov, but also cutting edge young writers and poets from right across Russia’s eleven time zones. This year’s festival sees a particular focus on fantasy and magical realism. Lukyanenko’s 'Night Watch' series clearly comes under this genre, but ‘Living Souls’ by Dmitry Bykov,‘2017’ by Olga Slavnikova and ‘Iramifications’ by Maria Galina, all newly published in English, have also been influenced by this notable undercurrent of Russian writing. Our authors will present their new books in light of this genre, which has its roots in the 19th and 20th century literary greats, Gogol, Bulgakov, Zamyatin and Platonov, while Lev Danilkin, literary critic and ‘Afisha’ columnist will explore why Russian literature has a tendency to look at reality through a prism of the unreal. In addition to events with established authors, SLOVO will introduce Russia’s newest literary voices. Olga Slavnikova, herself an award-winning writer, is the coordinator of Russia’s prestigious Debut prize for young writers and will present six Debut prize winners at this year’s festival, including three of Russian literature’s rising stars, Polina Klyukina from Perm, Alisa Ganieva from Dagestan and Alexander Gritsenko from Astrakhan. Key to this festival is the belief that literature can act as an instrument of social and political change and can help to bring two cultures together. For this reason SLOVO will coincide with the London Book Fair, where ties between the Russian and British publishing industry have already been strengthened by naming Russia Guest of Honour and Market Focus of the London Book Fair 2011. SLOVO will continue in this spirit with unique collaborative events between Russian and British poets, as well as providing numerous opportunities for cross-cultural discussions. Indeed, as the slogan ‘WORDS IN ACTION’ may suggest, SLOVO is not just about the written word. Film also plays an important part in this year’s festival. SLOVO will hold the first ever screening of Russian underground video poetry in the UK and the London premiere of Aliona Van der Horst’s hauntingly beautiful film on poet Boris Ryzhy. SLOVO’s broad spectrum of events will be held across several venues, Waterstones Piccadilly, Waterstones Hampstead, The Calvert 22 Gallery and the Apollo cinema. Come and join us for this un-missable chance to witness literature in transition!
Olga Slavnikova
Olga Slavnikova was born to a family of aerospace engineers near Sverdlosk in the Urals, modern day Ekaterinburg. After finishing school she studied journalism and graduated from Ekaterinburg State University. Slavnikova began publishing fiction in the late 1980s (her first novel appeared in 1988), during which time she was also fiction editor, then managing editor, of the important literary magazine ‘Urals'. She has lived and worked in Moscow since 2001.
Slavnikova
Slavnikova began publishing fiction in the late 1980s (her first novel appeared in 1988), during which time she was also fiction editor, then managing editor, of the important literary magazine ‘Urals'. She has lived and worked in Moscow since 2001.
The Russian programme at the London Book Fair 2010 is announced!
We are proud to announce the programme of Russian events at the London Book Fair 2010. Read here for details of seminars, meetings and special events at Publishers' Day, Authors' Day and Translators' Day and profiles of our celebrated guest speakers. These include include the authors Dmitry Bykov, Sergey Lukyanenko, Vladimir Sharov, Marina Galina and Olga Slavnikova, as well the deputy head of the Russian Federal Agency of Press and Mass Communication, Vladimir Grigoriev, and the brilliant literary critic, Lev Danilkin.
SLOVO Russian Literature Festival
On 19 – 25 April ACADEMIA ROSSICA will bring you SLOVO, the Russian Literature Festival that knows no boundaries. Packed with a kaleidoscope of genre-defying events, SLOVO will offer a unique insight into Russian literary culture, presenting not only the foremost contemporary Russian writers and highly opinionated public figures, such as Dmitry Bykov, Sergei Lukyanenko, Olga Slavnikova, Maria Galina and Vladimir Sharov, but also cutting edge young writers and poets from right across Russia’s eleven time zones.
SLOVO festival
SLOVO Russian Literature Festival 19 - 25 April 2010 London and other UK cities Russian Literature Week is back for the third time, held in the same week as the London Book Fair. The aim is to highlight Russian writers and publishers, both in London and on an international scale. This year's SLOVO will also showcase the new generation of writers, exciting new poets and the fascinating culture scene of today's Russia.
Non/Fiction Programme 2009
NON/FICTION 11, Stand G-2 December, 2-7. Central House of Artists Dear friends and colleagues, Academia Rossica in partnership with The London Book Fair, Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications and British Council invite you to Russia Market Focus 2011 Stand and would be very glad to see you at various events we are running during this fair.
Rossica 19
Red Pyramid
Russian Literature from the 21st Century
In this literary edition of ROSSICA, we are delighted to present the first English translations of new works by nine leading Russian writers. ROSSICA 19 introduces their work through extracts from six novels, recently published in Russia, and three short stories especially written for this anthology.
Russian Literature from the 21st Century
In this literary edition of ROSSICA, we are delighted to present the first English translations of new works by nine leading Russian writers. ROSSICA 19 introduces their work through extracts from six novels, recently published in Russia, and three short stories especially written for this anthology.
Big Book Prize Finalists Announced
26 May
Moscow
On the 26th of May, the names of the writers shortlisted for the 'Big Book' literary prize were announced. 13 authors have been shortlisted. Two of the shortlisted books were entered into the competition as manuscripts: Mariam Petrosyan's 'The House Where'and Andrei Baldin's 'The Extension of the Full Stop'.
Moscow
On the 26th of May, the names of the writers shortlisted for the 'Big Book' literary prize were announced. 13 authors have been shortlisted. Two of the shortlisted books were entered into the competition as manuscripts: Mariam Petrosyan's 'The House Where'and Andrei Baldin's 'The Extension of the Full Stop'.
The Gardian
Along with the 45 Indian authors arriving in London next week to take part in the book fair's India programme will be a smaller touring party of Russian writers. Like the Indian promotion, Russian Literature Week is based at the fair but also takes in central London - there are nightly discussions with authors at Waterstone's, Piccadilly, starting on Monday - and events around the country.
Russian Summer Ball
6 June
£110 / £165 (with dining)
This year, the 14th Russian Summer Ball will be held in London's historical and exclusive venue the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace. With complimentary Ballroom drinks all night, breakfast canapés and ballroom dancing to The Coldstream Guards. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Romanov Fund for Russia.
£110 / £165 (with dining)
This year, the 14th Russian Summer Ball will be held in London's historical and exclusive venue the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace. With complimentary Ballroom drinks all night, breakfast canapés and ballroom dancing to The Coldstream Guards. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Romanov Fund for Russia.
The week in books
Along with the 45 Indian authors arriving in London next week to take part in the book fair's India programme will be a smaller touring party of Russian writers. Like the Indian promotion, Russian Literature Week is based at the fair but also takes in central London - there are nightly discussions with authors at Waterstone's, Piccadilly, starting on Monday - and events around the country.
Day 1
The first day ended with an evening with Dmitry Bykov and Bridget Kendall at Waterstone’s, Piccadilly. Bykov entertained the large audience with, along with everything else, a joke. It went like this: “At birth you get a label put on your arm, after death, it’s put on your foot. If someone gets the same number both times, they win a prize – a pressure cooker.”
Slavnikova
Olga Slavnikova was born to a family of aerospace engineers near Sverdlosk in the Urals, modern day Ekaterinburg. After finishing school she studied journalism and graduated from Ekaterinburg State University. Slavnikova began publishing fiction in the late 1980s (her first novel appeared in 1988), during which time she was also fiction editor, then managing editor, of the important literary magazine ‘Urals'. She has lived and worked in Moscow since 2001.
Olga Slavnikova wins Kazakov prize
26 January 2009
Moscow
Olga Slavnikova, won the 2009 Kazakov prize for best short story. The prize was awarded for her story, 'The Cherepanova Sisters', part of a collection entitled 'Love in the seventh carriage'. Olga will be visiting London in April to talk at Academia Rossica's 2nd Russian Literature Week.
Moscow
Olga Slavnikova, won the 2009 Kazakov prize for best short story. The prize was awarded for her story, 'The Cherepanova Sisters', part of a collection entitled 'Love in the seventh carriage'. Olga will be visiting London in April to talk at Academia Rossica's 2nd Russian Literature Week.
Olga Slavnikova
Olga Slavnikova was born to a family of aerospace engineers near Sverdlosk in the Urals, modern day Ekaterinburg. After finishing school she studied journalism and graduated from Ekaterinburg State University. Slavnikova began publishing fiction in the late 1980s (her first novel appeared in 1988), during which time she was also fiction editor, then managing editor, of the important literary magazine ‘Urals'. She has lived and worked in Moscow since 2001.
'Among Animals and Plants' and 'Fro'
by Andrey Platonov
Translated by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler with Angela Livingstone, Olga Meerson and Eric Naiman
New York Review of Books; 2007; pp. 58
The Soviet writer Andrey Platonov saw much of his work suppressed or censored in his lifetime. In recent decades, however, these lost works have reemerged, and the eerie poetry and poignant humanity of Platonov's vision have become ever more clear. For Nadezhda Mandelstam and Joseph Brodsky, Platonov was the writer who most profoundly registered the spiritual shock of revolution.
Translated by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler with Angela Livingstone, Olga Meerson and Eric Naiman
New York Review of Books; 2007; pp. 58
The Soviet writer Andrey Platonov saw much of his work suppressed or censored in his lifetime. In recent decades, however, these lost works have reemerged, and the eerie poetry and poignant humanity of Platonov's vision have become ever more clear. For Nadezhda Mandelstam and Joseph Brodsky, Platonov was the writer who most profoundly registered the spiritual shock of revolution.
Beyond Moscow: New Russian Literature in the Provinces
Monday, 14 April, 8 pm
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, 8 pm, FREE
Discovering brilliant new writing in Russia’s expanses. Speakers: Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, Natalia Ivanova, literary critic, Irina Prokhorova, NLO publisher, Ravil Bukharaev, BBC correspondent, poet and translator, and Alexander Gavrilov, editor in chief of the “Knizhnoe obozrenie” (Book Review)
In Russian and English
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, 8 pm, FREE
Discovering brilliant new writing in Russia’s expanses. Speakers: Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, Natalia Ivanova, literary critic, Irina Prokhorova, NLO publisher, Ravil Bukharaev, BBC correspondent, poet and translator, and Alexander Gavrilov, editor in chief of the “Knizhnoe obozrenie” (Book Review)
In Russian and English
Price of the Prize
Tuesday, 15 April, 6.30 pm
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, £3
Prize-winning writer James Meek discusses the blessings and dangers of literary prizes with 4 Russian prize-winning writers: Dmitry Bykov, winner of the Big Book prize 2007, Alexander Ilichevsky, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2007, Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, and Lev Rubinstein, winner of the Andrei Bely Prize.
In English and Russian
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, £3
Prize-winning writer James Meek discusses the blessings and dangers of literary prizes with 4 Russian prize-winning writers: Dmitry Bykov, winner of the Big Book prize 2007, Alexander Ilichevsky, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2007, Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, and Lev Rubinstein, winner of the Andrei Bely Prize.
In English and Russian
Rossica 12/13
Rumiantsev’s Arc – Library of a Nation
If the book lies at the heart of Russian culture, then the most vital, life-preserving institution in Russian culture is the library. This issue of ROSSICA focuses on the remarkable history and collections of Russia’s largest library: originally called the Rumiantsev Museum, later the Lenin Library (Leninka) it is now the Russian State Library.
If the book lies at the heart of Russian culture, then the most vital, life-preserving institution in Russian culture is the library. This issue of ROSSICA focuses on the remarkable history and collections of Russia’s largest library: originally called the Rumiantsev Museum, later the Lenin Library (Leninka) it is now the Russian State Library.
Rossica 7/8
Revelations in Colour
Dionisy & KandinskyThis issue of ROSSICA is dedicated to two great Russian artists, Dionisy and Vasily Kandinsky who were divided by four centuries.
Dionisy & KandinskyThis issue of ROSSICA is dedicated to two great Russian artists, Dionisy and Vasily Kandinsky who were divided by four centuries.
Rossica 7/8
Revelations in Colour
Dionisy & KandinskyThis issue of ROSSICA is dedicated to two great Russian artists, Dionisy and Vasily Kandinsky who were divided by four centuries.
Dionisy & KandinskyThis issue of ROSSICA is dedicated to two great Russian artists, Dionisy and Vasily Kandinsky who were divided by four centuries.
Rossica 12/13
Rumiantsev’s Arc – Library of a Nation
If the book lies at the heart of Russian culture, then the most vital, life-preserving institution in Russian culture is the library. This issue of ROSSICA focuses on the remarkable history and collections of Russia’s largest library: originally called the Rumiantsev Museum, later the Lenin Library (Leninka) it is now the Russian State Library.
If the book lies at the heart of Russian culture, then the most vital, life-preserving institution in Russian culture is the library. This issue of ROSSICA focuses on the remarkable history and collections of Russia’s largest library: originally called the Rumiantsev Museum, later the Lenin Library (Leninka) it is now the Russian State Library.
Beyond Moscow: New Russian Literature in the Provinces
Monday, 14 April, 8 pm
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, 8 pm, FREE
Discovering brilliant new writing in Russia’s expanses. Speakers: Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, Natalia Ivanova, literary critic, Irina Prokhorova, NLO publisher, Ravil Bukharaev, BBC correspondent, poet and translator, and Alexander Gavrilov, editor in chief of the “Knizhnoe obozrenie” (Book Review)
In Russian and English
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, 8 pm, FREE
Discovering brilliant new writing in Russia’s expanses. Speakers: Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, Natalia Ivanova, literary critic, Irina Prokhorova, NLO publisher, Ravil Bukharaev, BBC correspondent, poet and translator, and Alexander Gavrilov, editor in chief of the “Knizhnoe obozrenie” (Book Review)
In Russian and English
Price of the Prize
Tuesday, 15 April, 6.30 pm
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, £3
Prize-winning writer James Meek discusses the blessings and dangers of literary prizes with 4 Russian prize-winning writers: Dmitry Bykov, winner of the Big Book prize 2007, Alexander Ilichevsky, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2007, Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, and Lev Rubinstein, winner of the Andrei Bely Prize.
In English and Russian
Waterstone’s Piccadilly, 5th Floor, £3
Prize-winning writer James Meek discusses the blessings and dangers of literary prizes with 4 Russian prize-winning writers: Dmitry Bykov, winner of the Big Book prize 2007, Alexander Ilichevsky, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2007, Olga Slavnikova, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2006, and Lev Rubinstein, winner of the Andrei Bely Prize.
In English and Russian
Rossica 18
The Ties of Blood
Russian Literature from the 21st Century
This edition of Rossica takes on a new form! It is an Anthology of New Russian Writing, featuring both prose and poetry translated into English and edited by leading specialists.
The issue was launched at the first Russian Literature Week, in April 2008.
Russian Literature from the 21st Century
This edition of Rossica takes on a new form! It is an Anthology of New Russian Writing, featuring both prose and poetry translated into English and edited by leading specialists.
The issue was launched at the first Russian Literature Week, in April 2008.