Andrey Rodionov is one of Moscow’s most conspicuous poets. He was born in the town of Mytischi outside Moscow, and his sometimes harsh, gritty poetry describes the reality of this small-town upbringing. He was lead singer of a punk band for some years and, although he is no longer a musician, performance has remained important as and element of his poetry: he regularly performs his poetry live and is conscious of his need for and audience’s response to his reading.

Leicester Square Theatre
9 & 16 March
£12/£10
‘A Sense of Delicacy’, one of Chekhov’s best comic stories, comes to the London stage, performed by the Romanian actor Mihai Arsene. Actor Mihai Arsene was born in Pitesti, Romania. He studied Performing Arts at the University of Craiova, where he graduated in 2001. Just before graduation, he was awarded The Best Actor Award for the role Mr. Bogoiu in "The Holiday Game" by Mihail Sebastian, which was part of the Student Actor Festival in Iasi, Romania.

by Alexander Pushkin
Translated by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler
Hesperus Press, 2008, pp. 115
Pushkin's version of the historical novel in the style of Walter Scott, this final prose work also reflects his fascination with and research into Russian history of the 18th century. During the reign of Catherine the Great, the young Grinev sets out for his new career in the army and en route performs an act of kindness by giving his warm coat to a man freezing in a blizzard.

President of the International Institute of Global Development
Mr. Lebedev’s career commenced in 1977 at the Russian Academy of Sciences, after which he spent several years as a diplomat, being posted to Russia’s Embassy to the UK as both Third and subsequently Second Secretary.

President of the International Institute of Global Development
Mr. Lebedev’s career commenced in 1977 at the Russian Academy of Sciences, after which he spent several years as a diplomat, being posted to Russia’s Embassy to the UK as both Third and subsequently Second Secretary.

Director, 'Virginity'
He was born in Lvov in 1963 and graduated from the filmmaking school VGIK in 1990. His career in documentary films took off in 1999, when he became the writer and presenter of the Russian television show 'Real Cinema'.

Dir. Virginity
He was born in Lvov in 1963 and graduated from the filmmaking school VGIK in 1990. His career in documentary films took off in 1999, when he became the writer and presenter of the Russian television show 'Real Cinema'.

Dir. Cruelty
Born in 1964, Marina Liubakova began her career in TV and documentary filmmaking, working for some of the leading national TV channels - NTV and ‘1'. She made her first short film ‘Chase' in 1994. ‘Cruelty' is her debut feature film.

Director of Literature at British Council. Susanna started her career at the Bodley Head publishers and then worked as an international literary agent specialising in translation rights, working with authors such as Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Sue Townsend, Fay Weldon and Kate Atkinson. In 2002 she became Director of English PEN, the writers’ association promoting literature, literacy and freedom of expression. She joined the British Council as Director of Literature in October 2005.

Russian Summer in London
In this issue we trace the life and career of Russian-Polish émigré artist and Art Deco icon Tamara de Lempica, and we explore the mystery of “Russianness” in 19th century Russian painting.

Russian Summer in London
In this issue we trace the life and career of Russian-Polish émigré artist and Art Deco icon Tamara de Lempica, and we explore the mystery of “Russianness” in 19th century Russian painting.