Dmitri Lipskerov
Encyclopedia
Dmitri Mikhailovich Lipskerov (born February 19, 1964 in Moscow
, Russia
) is an acclaimed Russia
n writer and dramatist. He emerged as a popular author in the late 1990s with two novels: The Forty Years of Changzhoeh and The Gottlieb Space. The first one of these was published by Vagrius in its Black Series, which brought together works of fiction by the older generation of counter-culture icons (Eduard Limonov
, Vasily Aksyonov
and others) and the nascent generation of post-Soviet novelists (such as Victor Pelevin
and Lipskerov himself), and was greeted enthusiastically by the younger generation of readers. Lipskerov's style is a mixture of realism and fantasy; while the focus of his writing is on establishing the personal relations between the characters, the latter often function in a world, in which Russian reality is transformed through both explicit invention and blending of different periods in a single "community", where the action is taking place. This, along with the title of his first novel, prompted many critics to compare him with Gabriel García Márquez
.
, Oleg Tabakov
). The Forty Years of Chanchzhoeh appeared in Novyi Mir in 1996 and the following year was published by Vagrius. Five more novels and two collections of shorter works were published as of 2005. All of his novels have been nominated, and The Forty Years of Chanchzhoeh short-listed, for the Russian Booker Prize.
Lipskerov lives in Moscow, and in addition to his literary work, is known as a successful restaurant owner. In 1998 he became one of the founders of the "Debut" prize for works of fiction by young Russian writers.
A.Gordon) has circulated an "Open letter
to journalists of radio station Echo of Moscow
" expressing support for state-run campaign against Mikhail Khodorkovsky
directed on takeover of his oil company
Yukos
which culminated in Khodorkovski's conviction and imprisonment. In subsequent discussions there followed allegations of revival of Soviet tradition of KGB
-orchestrated participation of intelligentsia
in 'public campaign of protest
' along with staged show trials.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) is an acclaimed Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n writer and dramatist. He emerged as a popular author in the late 1990s with two novels: The Forty Years of Changzhoeh and The Gottlieb Space. The first one of these was published by Vagrius in its Black Series, which brought together works of fiction by the older generation of counter-culture icons (Eduard Limonov
Eduard Limonov
Eduard Limonov is Russian writer and political dissident, and is the founder and leader of radical National Bolshevik Party. An opponent of Vladimir Putin, Limonov is one of leaders of Other Russia political bloc.-Early life:...
, Vasily Aksyonov
Vasily Aksyonov
Vasily Pavlovich Aksyonov was a Soviet and Russian novelist. He is known in the West as the author of The Burn and Generations of Winter , a family saga depicting three generations of the Gradov family between 1925 and 1953.-Early life:Vasily Aksyonov was...
and others) and the nascent generation of post-Soviet novelists (such as Victor Pelevin
Victor Pelevin
Victor Olegovich Pelevin is a Russian fiction writer. His books usually carry the outward conventions of the science fiction genre, but are used to construct involved, multi-layered postmodernist texts, fusing together elements of pop culture and esoteric philosophies...
and Lipskerov himself), and was greeted enthusiastically by the younger generation of readers. Lipskerov's style is a mixture of realism and fantasy; while the focus of his writing is on establishing the personal relations between the characters, the latter often function in a world, in which Russian reality is transformed through both explicit invention and blending of different periods in a single "community", where the action is taking place. This, along with the title of his first novel, prompted many critics to compare him with Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel José de la Concordia García Márquez is a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist, known affectionately as Gabo throughout Latin America. He is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in...
.
Biography
Dmitri Lipskerov was born in 1964 in Moscow, into the family of a well-known dramatist and animator Mikhail Lipskerov (with whom he is not to be confused). Upon graduating from the prestigious Schukin Theater Academy in 1985, he started writing plays and joined the Soviet Writers Union in 1989. In the early 1990s his plays were staged by some of the foremost Russian directors (Mark ZakharovMark Zakharov
Mark Anatolyevich Zakharov is a Soviet and Russian theatrical director and playwright. He was also a professor of the Moscow Theatre Institute ....
, Oleg Tabakov
Oleg Tabakov
Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov is a Soviet and Russian actor and the artistic director of the Moscow Art Theatre.-Theatre career:...
). The Forty Years of Chanchzhoeh appeared in Novyi Mir in 1996 and the following year was published by Vagrius. Five more novels and two collections of shorter works were published as of 2005. All of his novels have been nominated, and The Forty Years of Chanchzhoeh short-listed, for the Russian Booker Prize.
Lipskerov lives in Moscow, and in addition to his literary work, is known as a successful restaurant owner. In 1998 he became one of the founders of the "Debut" prize for works of fiction by young Russian writers.
Controversy
On June 3rd, 2005, Lipskerov (together with radio personalityRadio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
A.Gordon) has circulated an "Open letter
Open letter
An open letter is a letter that is intended to be read by a wide audience, or a letter intended for an individual, but that is nonetheless widely distributed intentionally....
to journalists of radio station Echo of Moscow
Echo of Moscow
Echo of Moscow is a Russian radio station based in Moscow, broadcasting in many Russian cities, in some of the former-Soviet republics , and via the Internet, which some observers describe as "the last bastion of free media in Russia"...
" expressing support for state-run campaign against Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky is a Russian prisoner, considered by some - such as Amnesty International - to have been imprisoned for political reasons, jailed until 2016 and a former Russian oligarch and businessman...
directed on takeover of his oil company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
Yukos
YUKOS
OJSC "Yukos Oil Company" was a petroleum company in Russia which, until 2003, was controlled by Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and a number of other prominent Russian businessmen. After Yukos was bankrupted, Khodorkovsky was convicted and sent to prison.Yukos headquarters was located in...
which culminated in Khodorkovski's conviction and imprisonment. In subsequent discussions there followed allegations of revival of Soviet tradition of KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
-orchestrated participation of intelligentsia
Intelligentsia
The intelligentsia is a social class of people engaged in complex, mental and creative labor directed to the development and dissemination of culture, encompassing intellectuals and social groups close to them...
in 'public campaign of protest
Political campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
' along with staged show trials.