December 23, 2014 Yolka As a special gift, we share a somewhat untypical holiday story, reprinted from the pages of Chtenia, by the master humorist and short story writer Mikhail Zoshchenko. Holidays Humor Literature Russia File
September 30, 2014 Pasternak: A Great Translator Reflects on Translation In honor of the International Day of the Translator, a few words from Boris Pasternak, the Russian voice of Shakespeare, on translating and the power of English. Literature Russia File
September 01, 2014 In Pushkin's Shadow Mikhail Lermontov, whom many consider Russia‘s second greatest poet, was born 200 years ago. We consider the enduring mysteries of his philosophy and work. Literature
July 18, 2014 Parley with a Gangster A second sample from Alexei Bayer's mystery novel Murder at the Dacha. Here, inspector Pavel Matushkin redeems a favor to get some information from a gangster. History Literature Russia File
July 01, 2014 Pivot to Revolution For Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Revolution began in August 1914. Literature
June 18, 2014 Yuri Vizbor: Soviet Renaissance Man Think you know Yuri Vizbor? Think again! Sure, you may have heard his songs, but did you know he was also a teacher? An alpinist? A journalist? A radio operator? Culture Literature Russia File
April 22, 2014 Nabokov: What to Read Today is Vladimir Nabokov's birthday, so we asked Russian Life contributor and Nabokov expert Diana Bruk where to start when reading the master. She offers with five annotated recommendations. Literature Russia File
March 01, 2014 Chasing Nabokov In which a scholar of the great Russian-American writer goes in search of Nabokov’s other family estate. Literature
March 01, 2014 Nobel Spirits Now for something completely different: an original Russian-themed crossword. Literature
November 26, 2013 Happy 158th Uncle Gilya! The first-ever English version of Uncle Gilya’s masterpiece, Moscow and Muscovites, translated by Brendan Kiernan and published by Russian Life Books, debuts today. It’s our way of saying “Happy Birthday” to Uncle Gilya (today is his 158th!). English-language readers around the globe win as well – this translation is at least 90 years overdue! Culture Food & Drink History Humor Literature
November 01, 2013 Fiction Contest In which we announce - and print the entries - of the two winners of our fiction contest, based on a picture that appeared in our summer issue. Literature
November 01, 2013 From Anna to Mikhail A short poem by Anna Akhmatova believed to be to Mikhail Lozinsky, who supported her through thick and thin. History Literature