You may think Russian literature is no more than a catalog of suffering and misery and woe, but actually it’s so much more than that. There’s so much joy, there’s so much hope, there’s so much about the human spirit in it - Stephen Fry
Russian literature has long been synonymous with the Soviet and pre-Soviet authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Boris Pasternak, and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn to name but a few. These giants of literature have been celebrated by generation after generation of readers and critics for their evocative portrayals of the complexities of existence and the human condition. After the fall of the Iron Curtain and the disillusion of the USSR, however, Western interest in Russian writings seemed to fall away.
It’s hard to understand why there was such a dramatic shift in tastes. Maybe the West was fascinated by the supposedly drastically different life beyond the Curtain and the emergence of Russia as a modern capitalist state put an end to this. Maybe the fall of the USSR brought such a sudden end to the established writing world and schools of literature that they simply needed time to find their feet once again. Whatever the case might be, for decades Russian literature has been overlooked here in the West.
This trend is, however, coming to an end; in part thanks to author Sarah Wallis and award-winning documentarian Paul Mitchell. In December 2013 the American public broadcaster, PBS, aired a feature length documentary, ‘Russia’s Open Book: Writing in the Age of Putin’. Co-directed by Paul and Sarah this film looks at six of today’s leading Russian authors who are, once again, drawing international recognition and interest to Russia’s literary scene.
Narrated by Stephen Fry, ‘Russia’s Open Book’ highlights the overlooked goldmine that is modern Russian literature and shows us why today’s writers will ensure that post-Soviet writing is remembered alongside its celebrated predecessors. Listen back to ‘Talking Books’ as Susan journeys east with co-directors Paul Mitchell and Sarah Wallis and discusses Russian literature and the making of ‘Russia’s Open Book’.
Join Susan as she discusses ‘Russia’s Young Hemmingway’ and ‘the Tarantino of Russian Literature’. Hear about how Anna Starobinets has recast the traditional horror genre in a new light and how intellectualism is still so important in the world of Russian literature. Listen in as ‘Talking Books’ hears all about the wondrous writing coming from Russia today and what the future looks like for those who are writing in the age of Putin.
Heritage Trees of Ireland
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray,
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair
Upon whose blossom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems were made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.
- ‘Trees’ by Joyce Kilmer
Man’s veneration of trees has a long and rich history. Across Celtic Europe and Ireland certain traits and benefits were ascribed to different trees and groves were raised and protected for their benefit. Yet the use of wood as one of man’s chief materials has seen global forest populations decimated in search of wealth, power, shelter, and fuel. Today the environmental importance of trees is well regarded and understood and great steps are being taken to protect the world’s forests and balance the needs of man with the needs of nature.
One of the most important figures in the world of trees and forestry in Ireland is champion tree-hunter Aubrey Fennell. Fascinated in these ancient giants of nature from a young age Aubrey has made his childhood pastime of exploring the countryside his vocation. Today he measures and records trees around the island for the Tree Council of Ireland. This work is vitally important as trees not only form a vital part of the ecosystem but their health also reflects the state of the environment around them.
In an effort to bring attention to the trees of Ireland and their importance Fennell, together with photographer Carsten Krieger and vice president of the Tree council of Ireland Kevin Hutchinson, put together ‘Heritage Trees of Ireland’. This book gathers together some of Ireland’s greatest and most famous trees and tells the history of Ireland’s various species of tree. Join Susan as she hears about the close relationship between Ireland and her trees. How important were the great oaks to our ancestors? What ties the ancient yew to the dead? And why does the shadow of Cromwell hang over Irish forests?
