Russian Literature and Language Week in London

[Alissa Timoshkina]

Dear Friends,

As part of this year¡¦s unprecedented programme of Russian cultural events, 
ACADEMIA ROSSICA launches the First Russian Language and Literature Week 
in the UK. 

With more than 100 leading Russian writers, publishers and journalists arriving 
in London, Russian Literature Week will provide a long-awaited platform for an 
open inter-cultural dialogue and the exchange of opinions between Russian 
and British intellectuals. It is a rare opportunity for the British public to hear 
the views of distinguished Russian intellectuals directly.

The central focus of the Week will be the first ever Russian stand at the 
London Book Fair (14-16 April, Earls Court, London). It will present a 
continuous 3-day programme of debates on contemporary Russian culture, 
politics and the future of Russo-British relations. Official opening of the 
Russian Stand by HE The Ambassador of Russia Mr Yury V. Fedotov at 2.30 pm 
on Monday, 14 April. 

Speakers include: 
„X	Vladimir Grigoriev, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Press and 
Mass Communications, publisher (Vagrius), founder of the Big Book Prize 
(second largest cash award, after the Nobel)
„X	Dmitry Bykov, writer, winner of the Big Book Prize 2007 
„X	Sergey Mironenko, historian, Director of the State Archives of the 
Russian Federation
„X	Alexander Ilichevsky, winner of the Russian Booker Prize 2007, editor 
at Svoboda radio 
„X	Alexander  Drozdov, Director of the First President of Russia Boris 
Yeltsin Foundation
„X	Alexander Arkhangelskiy, writer, Kultura TV presenter (the main 
Russian cultural TV channel)
as well as
„X	Norman Stone, Professor of International Politics, writer 
„X	Dominic Lieven, historian, Professor of Russian Government at LSE
„X	Bridget Kendall, award winning journalist, diplomatic correspondent 
for BBC
„X	Orlando Figes, Professor of Russian History, award winning writer
„X	James Meek, award winning writer and journalist (Guardian) 
as well as other key Russian and British writers, publishers and intellectuals.

Discussions will focus on 3 main themes:
„X	New Heroes of New Russian Literature: a reflection of new Russia in 
new Russian writing
„X	A Recreation of Russian National Identity; through the reassessment 
of Russian history
„X	New Russia - New Hopes: Russia¡¦s standing in the world community 

Other events of the Week include:
1.	Translating Russia: a special evening at the Royal Society of 
Literature ¡V 14 April
2.	Evening talks and discussions at Waterstone¡¦s Piccadilly ¡V 15-18 April
3.	Programme launch: Grants for Translation of Contemporary Russian 
Literature into English
4.	Forum of Russian language teachers ¡V 17 April, School of Slavonic 
Studies, UCL
5.	Russian literature in films ¡V 19-20 April, Apollo Cinema, Piccadilly

Organisers
The first Russian Language and Literature Week is organised by ACADEMIA 
ROSSICA, a London based cultural organisation, aiming to strengthen cultural 
and intellectual links between Britain and Russia. The Week is supported by 
the Yeltsin Foundation (Moscow), Russkiy Mir foundation (Moscow), Federal 
Agency for Press and Mass Communications and the Russian Embassy in 
London. 

Press-conference: 14 April, 1.30 pm at the London Book Press Office
For more information please contact ACADEMIA ROSSICA: press at academia-
rossica.org
Tel: 0203 326 0522; 020 79337 5001; www.academia-rossica.org 

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