Culture Now: Kirill Medvedev

Russian poet Kirill Medvedev is in conversation with author Adam Thirlwell, discussing his work following the recent English language publication of Its No Good (Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2015). Medvedev’s poetry—casual, often explicitly political—fiercely diagnoses Putin-era Russia.

Born in Moscow in 1975, Kirill Medvedev has recently emerged as one of the most exciting, unpredictable voices on the Russian literary scene. Widely published and acclaimed as a poet, he is also is an activist for labor and a member of the Russian Socialist movement Vpered [Forward]. He contributes essays regularly to Chto Delat, and other opposition magazines. His small press, The Free Marxist Press, has recently released his translations of Pasolini, Eagleton, and Goddard, as well as numerous books at the intersection of literature, art and politics, including a collection of his own essays.

Adam Thirlwell is the author of two novels, Politics and The Escape; a novella, Kapow!; an essay-book, The Delighted States, winner of a Somerset Maugham Award; and a compendium of translations edited for McSweeney’s. He has twice been selected as one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists. His new novel, Lurid & Cute, was published in 2015. He is is London Editor of the Paris Review and in 2015 was the recipient of the E.M. Forster Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

With thanks to Fitzcarraldo Editions