“It was not without hesitation that I decided to publish my mother’s memoirs and diaries as well as the letters that she had been exchanging with Yuri Lotman for several decades. The feeling that connected these two people, so extraordinary in its intensity and unabated mutual admiration and trust, played a huge role in the lives of them both. As Lotman once wrote: ‘History passes through the homes and private lives of its participants.’ Lotman’s ideas continue to live on in the pages of his books. But his remarkable personality, his wit, his warmth, his kindness, his selfless magnanimity and courage in trying circumstances, are not available to people who didn’t know him. As a homage to Yuri Lotman, my teacher and mentor, I wanted this manuscript to see the world. The book has been on the list of bestsellers since its publication. Our family archive contains autographs of Lotman’s letters, numerous photographs and book dedications that I will be happy to share with you during my talk.” – Marina Sonkina

WHEN: Friday 4 February 2022, 19:30 (GMT)

WHERE: Zoom

LANGUAGE: English

FEE: Voluntary donation*

Please REGISTER in advance (with your name and email address). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom joining link.

About the speaker

Marina Sonkina Marina Sonkina teaches Russian Literature, Film and Cultural Studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. Among her published collections of short fiction are Lucia’s Eyes and Other Stories, Runic Alphabet, Comrade Stalin’s Baby Tooth and Expulsion and Other Stories. You can read more about Marina on her website.

* While there is no charge for our online events, CamRuSS would welcome any donations towards the support of our volunteers’ efforts during this time. Suggested donation £5-10.

All money raised by CamRuSS from membership fees & donations goes towards organising events, supporting community projects, and essential technical and administrative costs.

You can send your donations via:

– a direct bank transfer (BACS) to the following account: The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society NatWest Bank, Sort Code: 60-11-30, Account: 25395637

– PayPal to the following email address: camruss@camruss.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!