In Vladimir Putin's Russia, writing about certain subjects the war in Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Church or LGBTQ+ life can mean prison time. But for a new generation of Russian writers living in exile, efforts to resist censorship are alive and well. Taking inspiration from Soviet dissidents, publishers are finding innovative ways to bypass Russia's draconian restrictions. This includes connecting authors to publishers abroad.
Sandoval's strategy recalls practices known as samizdat from the Soviet era, when dissidents circulated typewritten copies of banned manuscripts. In today's digital age, the risks are different, as they can share digital files without a trace, provided they are cautious. Their first major release, a book about Russia's mercenary Wagner Group, has reached over 30,000 readers in just a few weeks.
The goal is simple but ambitious: to document the harsh realities of modern Russia, from the war in Ukraine to political persecution, making these works accessible to the Russian people. There's an urge to document it, reflecting on the "catastrophes and war crimes" that have unfolded under Putin's government.
In a nation where independent journalism has been stifled and government propaganda reigns, the books being published offer a rare, uncensored view of current events. The foundation led by Felix Sandalov connects writers tackling sensitive topics with international publishers.
Collection
[
|
...
]