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Tightened censorship in Russia

Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, censorship in Russia has tightened, not only on the press, but also on culture. Artists critical of the war and the Russian state are branded 'foreign agents'. Publishers, bookshops and libraries are considering no longer publishing, selling or lending the books of such foreign agents. Critical media and cultural channels have left the country and are increasingly hampered in their attempts to inform the homeland through popular platforms such as YouTube.

Much, but not all, of the responsibility for this development lies with the man who was unexpectedly thrust into the presidency at the end of 1999 and who has since been steadily consolidating his own power base (and that of his closest associates) and the cultural and, by extension, general lack of freedom in Russia. This man is described in the latest novel by former Soviet dissident writer Viktor Yerofeyev as 'The Great Gopnik'.

Yerofeyev, whose novels include the infamous "Russian Beauty" (1990) and "The Good Stalin" (2004), began work on his "horror comedy" before the war, but did not publish it until October 2024.

On 13 February, the writer will be in Ghent to talk about the role of culture and literature in contemporary Russia.

Everyone is welcome, but registration is obligatory. Everyone is also invited to submit questions for the author. These questions can then be addressed during the discussion.

About Viktor Yerofeev

Born in Moscow in 1947, Viktor Yerofeyev is a well-known Russian writer. He became known worldwide for his novel 'Russian Beauty', published in 1989 and translated into no less than 27 languages.

Yerofeyev studied literature and languages at Moscow State University and later on defended his PhD on Dostoyevsky and French existentialism. In 1979 he was expelled from the USSR Writers' Union for his involvement in the literary magazine 'Metropol', which published texts banned by the Soviet censors and distributed via samizdat.

Some of Yerofeyev’s later writings, particularly his novel 'Encyclopaedia of the Russian Soul' (1999), have caused controversy among Russian nationalists. Yerofeyev's contributions to literature have earned him numerous honours, including the Legion d'Honneur and the Ordre d’Art et Letters in France and the Kommandor Cross in Poland.

As well as from writing, Yerofeyev has worked as a radio and television critic and has taught and lectured around the world.

In March 2022, he left Russia and now lives in Germany. In April 2023, he published a collection of essays entitled 'Naked Russia', dedicated to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In his most recent work, 'The Great Gopnik' (2024), he relates his biography to that of Vladimir Putin

Said Fitzurse impatiently; “playing the fool in the very moment of utter necessity.—What on earth dost thou purpose by this absurd disguise at a moment so urgent?”

“To get me a wife,” answered De Bracy coolly, “after the manner of the tribe of Benjamin.”

“The tribe of Benjamin?” said Fitzurse; “I comprehend thee not.”

“Wert thou not in presence yester-even,” said De Bracy, “when we heard the Prior Aymer tell us a tale in reply to the romance which was sung by the Minstrel?—He told how, long since in Palestine, a deadly feud arose between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of the Israelitish nation; and how they cut to pieces well-nigh all the chivalry of that tribe; and how they swore by our blessed Lady, that they would not permit those who remained to marry in their lineage; and how they became grieved for their vow, and sent to consult his holiness the Pope how they might be absolved from it; and how, by the advice of the Holy Father, the youth of the tribe of Benjamin carried off from a superb tournament all the ladies who were there present, and thus won them wives without the consent either of their brides or their brides’ families.”

“I have heard the story,” said Fitzurse, “though either the Prior or thou has made some singular alterations in date and circumstances.”

“I tell thee,” said De Bracy, “that I mean to purvey me a wife after the fashion of the tribe of Benjamin; which is as much as to say, that in this same equipment I will fall upon that herd of Saxon bullocks, who have this night left the castle, and carry off from them the lovely Rowena.”

“Art thou mad, De Bracy?” said Fitzurse. “Bethink thee that, though the men be Saxons, they are rich and powerful, and regarded with the more respect by their countrymen, that wealth and honour are but the lot of few of Saxon descent.”

“And should belong to none,” said De Bracy; “the work of the Conquest should be completed.”

“This is no time for it at least,” said Fitzurse “the approaching crisis renders the favour of the multitude indispensable, and Prince John cannot refuse justice to any one who injures their favourites.”