July 17, 2024

Roskomnadzor Casts Vanishing Spell on Fanfics


Roskomnadzor Casts Vanishing Spell on Fanfics
Wonders of the internet. Wesson Wang, Wikimedia Commons.

On July 12, Roskomnadzor, the federal agency supervising communications in Russia, limited access to the largest Russian-language site for fan fiction, Ficbook. Officials said the website violated "LGBT propaganda" laws.

Fanfics are spin-off texts of famous fiction works, written by amateur writers for other fans. They are published on the internet without the approval or oversight of the publishing industry. The texts' subjects can range from erotica to famous characters' stories infused with fans' personal experiences.

The Russian fanfic platforms such as Ficbook and fanfics.me have amassed millions of passionate readers. Publishers noticed fanfics' popularity, printing works such as Yekaterina Silvanova and Yelena Malisova's "Summer in a Pioneer Tie" and selling over 220,000 copies. 

In December 2022, Russia passed a law banning "LGBT Propaganda." Ficbook announced it would create a separate page for content with same-sex relationships called Slashbook. In November 2023, the Supreme Court banned the "international public movement of LGBT people" and declared queer Russians an "extremist organization."

This year, Roskomnadzor began inspecting the internet for "LGBT content." The government organization investigated the language-learning app Duolingo in April. In May, Roskomnadzor removed the game Romance Club from the App Store and Google Play.

On July 9, Roskomnadzor ordered Ficbook's site Kniga Fanfikov (Book of Fanfics) to remove "information that promoted 'non-traditional sexual relationships.'" The federal agency said the site was moving around LGBT content to other pages instead of deleting the material. Roskomnadzor threatened to block Ficbook on the territory of the Russian Federation. On July 12, the fanfic site was not accessible in Russia.

On July 13, Ficbook launched the campaign #VerniteFicbook (Return Ficbook) on Telegram, asking readers to share videos and texts explaining why the site mattered to them. In its statement, Ficbook wrote, "Fanfiction is not just a hobby, but an important part of life and culture."

You Might Also Like

Fulbright Foreign Agents?
  • June 20, 2024

Fulbright Foreign Agents?

Now that Fulbright has been declared an "undesirable organization," what will happen with its current and former Russian researchers?
The Post that Angered a City
  • June 04, 2024

The Post that Angered a City

The wife of a Novosibirsk legislator mocked the city on Instagram, leading to questions about her lifestyle.
  • February 06, 2024

"I'm Alive" a Harrowing Escape

A gay Chechen man forced to out himself on camera vanished after the video went viral in 2022. Now, he tells his story.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955