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literary advisory

Russia Creates Book Censorship Body – Vedomosti

A major publisher has already stopped selling books by U.S. authors James Baldwin and Michael Cunningham, as well as Russian writer Vladimir Sorokin, for...

Russian Court Sentences Driver Who Struck Poet Lev Rubinstein

The motorist, whose name was not given, was found guilty of violating traffic rules that led to the death of a person through negligence.

beloved novel, acclaimed film

Director Michael Lockshin on 'Master and Margarita' and Meaningful Work

Andrei Muchnik talked with Michael Lockshin about his film, his plans, and his break with Russia.

Russian Booksellers Remove Potentially Banned Books

When looking for "LGBT propaganda," fantasy appears to play a large role.

the devil comes to moscow

'The Master and Margarita': From Favorite Novel to Blockbuster Film

Why is this film the talk of every town?

The Endless Catalog of Lev Rubinstein

What the world lost when Lev Rubinstein died on January 14, 2024.

anti-war novelist

Moscow Court Arrests Writer Boris Akunin in Absentia

Authorities charged Akunin, who has not lived in Russia since 2014, with justifying terrorism and spreading “fakes” about the Russian army.

Ludmila Ulitskaya Is the Latest Russian Writer Under Fire

A prank phone call set off a series of measures against the award-winning author.

Writer Dmitry Bykov on Being Banned and the Curse of Russian History

Dmitry Bykov is optimistic about the victory of the Russian swamp.

Renowned Russian Writer Boris Akunin Labeled ‘Foreign Agent’

The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent since launching its war on Ukraine in February 2022.

Orwell’s '1984' Named Most-Stolen Book in Russia in 2023

While sales of the novel in Russia jumped following the February 2022 invasion, it has been one of the country’s top sellers since at least 2010.

literary crackdown

Russian Publisher Raided for Selling Books By Renowned Writer on 'Extremists and Terrorists' List

Prominent Russian-Georgian writer Boris Akunin was added to the country’s “extremists and terrorists” registry this week.

Russia Adds Prominent Writer Akunin to 'Extremists and Terrorists' Registry

Last week sales of Akunin's books were halted; this week he is suspected of “justifying terrorism” and spreading “fake news” about the Russian...

Book censorship

Russian Bookstores, Publishing House Ban Books by Prominent Writers Over Anti-War Statements

“Those who want to read my works will continue reading them as before,” said writer Dmitry Bykov, whose books were affected by publisher AST's decision...

weekend kitchen

Mikhail Bulgakov and the Mystery of 'Julienne'

Foreigners to Russia have always been puzzled when offered a pot of "julienne" - julienned what? Read on.

War Made Lyudmila Petrushevskaya Put Down Her Pen

A writer who always loved her neighbors despite their faults cannot write about her hate-filled people today.

update reading list

Pushkin House Announces Short List for 2023 Book Prize

This years nominated books represent a wide range of scholarship on and from Russia.

weekend kitchen

Dinner is Served Under the Spreading Cranberry Tree

On April Fool's Day we celebrate the jokes and hoaxes of Russian cuisine.

Choices Narrow in Russian Bookstores Amid Anti-LGBT Law, Wartime Restrictions

Ordinary Russians are unable to access an increasingly broad range of literature as bookshops and libraries pull titles from their shelves amid a wartime...

'spiritual connection'

Russian Town Asks Tarantino to Save ‘Doctor Zhivago’s House’

The Hollywood director is known for his love of Pasternak and visited the novelist’s grave in 2004.

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