Friday, April 29th, 2011 at 6:30pm
New Russian Poetry: A Bilingual Reading
The National Arts Club, Sculpture Court
15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY
Free. Please use the form below to RSVP.
Please note that business casual attire is strongly encouraged for guests of the National Arts Club.
Russian poets Igor Belov, Viktor Ivaniv, Ksenia Shcherbino and Fedor Svarovskiy will be in New York from April 25th to May 2nd to participate in the PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature and give a reading at the National Arts Club. Their visit is part of a residency program that will also take them to the University of Pennsylvania earlier in April for additional professional activities and readings.
At the PEN World Voices Festival, the four writers will join peers from around the world in a series of diverse events, ranging from Poetry and Yoga at the Rubin Museum to a conversation with such notables as Vladimir Sorokin and Garry Kasparov (details below). In addition to these appearances, New Yorkers will have an opportunity to hear all four poets together at the National Arts Club’s beautiful Sculpture Gallery on April 29th. Belov, Ivaniv, Shcherbino and Svarovskiy will read from their work in Russian, with English translations read by contemporary American poets. The reading will be followed by a Q&A and light reception.
The young poets were selected for the program based on the merits of their work; all four boast publications in major Russian and international literary journals. Hailing from various parts of Russia such as Kaliningrad, Moscow and Siberia, they also differ widely in their style. Belov’s poetry paints a world tinged with loss, forgotten on the outskirts of geography and time. Ivaniv’s writing is inspired by the poetic tradition of the Russian avant-garde and draws from the rich material of the subconscious. Svarovskiy looks to the future, exploring sci-fi and fantasy themes and striving to establish a new approach to epic poetic narration. Shcherbino’s poetic language is fresh, playful and offers an often tongue-in-cheek female perspective.
The poets’ residency and readings are part of the Open World Cultural Leaders Program, an endeavor of the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress with partnership and funding from the Renova Group of Companies.
PEN World Voices Events
Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m.
A Global and Literary Salon: From Russia with Love
With Igor Belov, Ksenia Shcherbino, and Svetlana Smolina; hosted by Ina Parker.
The Jerome L. Greene Space at WNYC, 44 Charlton St., New York City
In an intimate gathering at WYNYC’s beloved Jerome L. Greene Space, participants have a rare opportunity to hear Igor Belov and Ksenia Shcherbino, two of Russia’s young, rising literary talents read from their latest works. Sip a glass of wine, and delight in exquisite musical renderings by pianist Svetlana Smolina. A conversation about the global impact of Russian culture will follow.
Sunday, May 1st at 9:00 a.m.
Poetry and Yoga
With Viktor Ivaniv, Agi Mishol, Andrzej Sosnowski, Pia Tafdrop, and others
The Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th St., New York City
For the first time in PEN history, poets will share their space with movement. Bringing poetry in closer, intentional proximity to the spirit, this yoga class, taught and curated by Virayoga founder Elena Brower, places participants among the whispers of the art of language, and in the Rubin Museum’s inspiring setting. Stationed throughout the class, poets will offer their work and voices to elevate us all.
Sunday, May 1st at 1:00 p.m.
Russian in Two Acts
With Jamey Gambrell, Garry Kasparov, Vladmir Sorokin, and Fedor Svarovskiy; moderated by Christian Caryl
The Morgan Library & Museum, Lehrman Hall, 225 Madison Ave., New York City
Watch a World Champion chess player, now journalist, unravel the complexities of Russia’s cultural and geopolitical landscape. In Part One of this event, Garry Kasparov will offer his personal spin on the state of contemporary Russian politics and culture. After a brief intermission, a panel of Russian experts—from critics to novelists—will comment on Kasparov’s talk and engage in a debate about where this mammoth country is headed.
Advance RSVPs for this event are now closed. Additional tickets will be available at the door if there are free seats remaining.
