Boris Akunin: CONSCIENCE & PROTEST - WRITING ABOUT RUSSIA

Cathrin Kahlweit in conversation with Boris
Akunin


CONSCIENCE AND PROTEST – WRITING ABOUT RUSSIA


 


Boris Akunin is much more than just a renowned author and famous
for his bestselling crime stories; he is also considered a beacon
of courage in challenging times. With a literary repertoire
spanning numerous genres and captivating millions of readers
worldwide, Akunin’s works have earned him international acclaim
and admiration.


In addition to his literary pursuits, Boris Akunin is a vocal
critic of Russia’s government, speaking out against injustice and
advocating for politcal change. After manipulated Duma elections
in 2011 he became one of the organisers of the so called
Bolotnaya protests in Moscow. Akunin’s books have faced
censorship and have been banned from Russian bookshops and
libraries due to his criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Today he lives in exile – and still gets attacked by the Russian
government, calling him an “enemy to the Russian people” and a
“foreign agent”, therefore he has been included in Russia’s
«terrorists and extremists list» with an international arrest
warrant issued.


 


Boris Akunin, the pseudonym of Grigory
Chkhartishvili, is a renowned Russian writer celebrated for his
historical detective fiction. Through his captivating novels, he
delves into the complexities of Russian society, blending
thorough historical detail with captivating storytelling. Akunin
explores themes of morality and identity while maintaining a keen
eye on contemporary Russia. After his critique on the Russian
attack on Ukraine, his books have been banned from Russian
bookshops and libraries.


Cathrin Kahlweit, journalist and publicist,
Süddeutsche Zeitung correspondent for Central and Eastern Europe