Author Archives: Elena Dimov

About Elena Dimov

Elena Dimov holds a Ph.D. in history from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Her specialties include Russian culture and literature. She has also taught Russian Language at UVA. She is currently working on a study of Russian poetry in the late twentieth century and developing the bibliography of current Russian prose and poetry

The Art of Poetry Translation

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Elena Dimov

My original intention was to write about my work on the English translation of the poetry by contemporary Russian authors. In my mind poetry translation is walking a road alongside the author and his thoughts, imagery and poetic imagination,  where a … Continue reading →

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Remembering Valentin Pikul

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Elena Dimov

Valentin Pikul (1928-1990) is almost forgotten author today. However, he was the most read author in the Soviet Union in 1970-90s.  Although Pikul is not well known by Western audiences, his works sold over a million copies in Russian markets … Continue reading →

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Poet Laureate Viktor Sosnora on Poetry and Poetics

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Elena Dimov

By Michael Marsh-Soloway Viktor  Sosnora was born in Alupka on the Crimean Peninsula in 1936. During WWII, Sosnora and his family endured the blockade of Leningrad for over a year, before being evacuated to the Kuban region in the Russian … Continue reading →

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Chasing the Black Hen or Phantasmagoria in the Provincial City

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Elena Dimov

Discussing the “New Epic” in Contemporary Russian Poetry In an interview with “Vrijj Nederlands” in 1982 describing Russian poetry, Joseph Brodsky mentioned that in his opinion, there were only two outstanding poets left (Eugenii Rein and Yurii Kublanovsky – E.D.): … Continue reading →

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Russian Literature in XXI Century: New Directions?

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Elena Dimov

In the explosive, unpredictable world of contemporary Russian literature at the beginning of the 21st century, there appeared a phenomenon of non-commercial literature that became more visible and more attractive to readers then the traditional readings of the 90s – … Continue reading →

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Excerpt from the Novel-in-Verse “Gnedich” by Maria Rybakova

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Elena Dimov

Contemporary Russian Literature in Translation We are happy to introduce the  novel-in-verse  Gnedich  by Maria Rybakova. ( Gnedich,  Moscow: Vremia, 2011). Maria is one of the winners of the Russian Prize in short fiction for Gnedich. Maria Rybakova was born  in … Continue reading →

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Dmitrii Bykov

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Elena Dimov

Dmitrii Bykov Dmitrii Bykov is maybe one of the most popular and prolific writers in Russia today but is not known to the broad public in the West as much as Pelevin, Ulitskaia or Sorokin. It is not surprising: his … Continue reading →

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Scenes from Russia

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Elena Dimov

Excerpt from “Balustrade in Bykovo” by Maria Stepanova “Russian Gothic, Domes-lamps. Girls-sweethearts. Church and mallows…” “Русская готика Купола-лампочки. Девочки-лапочки. Церква и мальвы….” [Maria Stepanova. Stikhi i proza v odnom tome. Moscow: NLO, 2010.p.94] About the author: born in Moscow in … Continue reading →

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Strelnia Elegy by Joseph Brodsky

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Elena Dimov

Excerpt from  Strelnia Elegy by Joseph Brodsky Translated by Margarita Dimova Light of the palaces and castles, the palaces and castles’               light, the flowerbed of brick roses, blooming in the winter, what native … Continue reading →

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New Facebook Page

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Elena Dimov

Contemporary Russian literature at UVA  has now new Facebook page! Follow us on Facebook where we’ll post  updates about new books and current events.

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