Few understand this reality better than Igor Pomerantsev, a veteran radio broadcaster, poet, and former Soviet dissident. @katetsurkan.bsky.social kyivindependent.com/a-cult-of-de...

I can’t believe how stupid everything is

I wrote about the Invisible Gallery Project which aims to highlight Ukrainian artists overshadowed by a legacy of Russian imperialism. An ongoing project worth following. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/ukraines-art...

The Ukrainian Institute and @kyivindependent.com have teamed up to popularize Ukrainian classics! Read more at the press release. kyivindependent.com/rediscoverin...

I reported on Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s new Russian Studies certificate program and why it matters—for Ukraine’s future specialists and for rethinking Russian Studies abroad. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/in-the-middl...

The greatest motivation is when your dear friend, a far more accomplished writer, reads the start of your novel and christens it "an insane fever dream," only to add "but keep leaning into it, it works."

Reunited with Slavoj Žižek to talk about everything from maternal tyranny to collective spiritual suicide. Check out our wide-ranging conversation at the Daily Humanity Dispatch. dailyhumanitydispatch.substack.com/p/slavoj-ziz...

My article for @kyivindependent.com on the wonderful ongoing Vasyl Stus exhibition at Mystetskyi Arsenal. With thanks to the curatorial project manager, Yulia Naidukh, and Dmytro Stus, Vasyl's son, for their comments. kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-po...

Reunited with Slavoj Žižek to talk about everything from maternal tyranny to collective spiritual suicide. Check out our wide-ranging conversation at the Daily Humanity Dispatch. dailyhumanitydispatch.substack.com/p/slavoj-ziz...

Finally, my translator’s copies of Khrystia Vengryniuk’s LONG EYES have arrived in Ukraine. 👁️ 👄 👁️ She’s melancholic, she’s beautiful, she’s everything you didn’t know you needed. Order your copy here: losthorsepress.org/catalog/long...

My interview with the always great Andriy Lyubka about returning to fiction writing, why Ukrainian books deserve less sad endings, and how a writer's responsibility changes during war. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/bring-ukrain...

I reviewed Darya Tsymbalyuk's soul-crushing yet vital book "Ecocide in Ukraine," my latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/new-book-exp...

Valerian Pidmohylnyi’s “The City” now has a fresh new English translation. I reviewed this masterpiece of 20th century literature for @kyivindependent.com. He could have written more great novels if he hadn’t been executed in Russia in 1937… kyivindependent.com/one-of-the-g...

A short prose piece I wrote after Russian drones and missiles targeted my Chernivtsi—many thanks to the editors at La Piccioletta Barca for giving it a home. www.picciolettabarca.com/posts/iron-j...

A short prose piece I wrote after Russian drones and missiles targeted my Chernivtsi—many thanks to the editors at La Piccioletta Barca for giving it a home. www.picciolettabarca.com/posts/iron-j...

The Opera Aperta team is bringing their hit production "Gaia-24" back to Kyiv this November. I wrote about how an opera can be powerful messaging against Russia's ecocide against Ukraine. My latest for @kyivindependent.com kyivindependent.com/art-after-ap...

‘A word fallen out of language’ and other poems — APOFENIE by Milena Findeis translated by Kate Tsurkan www.apofenie.com/the-latest-c...

Thanks to @katetsurkan.bsky.social , she translated my poems written in German—from the Ukrainian translation by Petro Rychlo—into English for the poetry magazine Apofenie. www.apofenie.com

Some standout, kinetic poems today by Austrian author Milena Findeis— In the mouth, the word to taste to chew It hums in the ears is rolled by the eyes cut apart by grimaces (...) www.apofenie.com/the-latest-c...

In fleeing me, my wrath, my fear a female rat is giving birth on the hot sidewalk, steadily, trailing behind a streak of blood with child (...) More from Romanian-born poet Ema Dumitriu at the link below. www.apofenie.com/the-latest-c...

For @kyivindependent.com I wrote about Guardian journalist Shaun Walker's new book on the history of Russia’s illegals spy program. One of the most insane books I’ve read in a awhile, but so well-written, definitely worth your time. kyivindependent.com/spies-among-...

I spoke with Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad about some western states’ recognition of Palestine and what real justice for Palestinians looks like. That and more in latest Daily Humanity Dispatch, my new project with Katerina Sergatskova. dailyhumanitydispatch.substack.com/p/true-freed...

It was my honor to interview the great Ai Weiwei this past weekend when he came to Kyiv for his first exhibition in Ukraine. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/i-wanted-to-...

It was my honor to interview the great Ai Weiwei this past weekend when he came to Kyiv for his first exhibition in Ukraine. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/i-wanted-to-...

You can now order Ukrainian author Khrystia Vengryniuk's incredible poetry collection LONG EYES, co-translated by Dmyto Kyyan and me. Spread the word! losthorsepress.org/catalog/long...

The right wing in US, Europe don't care about Ukrainian lives unless their deaths can be weaponized to promote racist, xenophobic policies at home. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/how-the-righ...

That buzz from a literary magazine sending an acceptance letter hits different when it’s your own creative writing and not a translation 🤌🏻

I wrote about Ukraine's installation/s/ at Burning Man this year, my latest for @kyivindependent.com kyivindependent.com/no-fate-but-...

This fall brings not one but two books I had the privilege to co-work on. I’m especially eager for English-language readers to follow Andriy Lyubka's journey as a wartime volunteer, told with his signature wit. Please spread the word—you can preorder now. www.academicstudiespress.com/9798887198408/

The Russian invention of 'Great Russian Culture' has colonized the minds of people around the world, to the detriment of the cultures of the nations that Russia has occupied and attempted to exterminate. @katetsurkan.bsky.social has compiled a fantastic reading list to help decolonize our mind.

On Ukraine's Independence Day, here are 10 books to help you understand the country better. My little listicle for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/10-books-to-...

You should be mad about the FBI raiding John Bolton’s house not because you love John Bolton but because you’re opposed to Trump using the FBI to intimidate his critics

I reviewed the English translation of the CRIMEAN FIG anthology, which showcases Crimean Tatar literature. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/what-russia-...

The sleep deprivation that comes with the start of motherhood rewires your brain in ways you cannot anticipate. So, I've started a Substack to write my way through reclaiming the so-called literary prowess I possessed during my Ph.D. studies. Subscribe! For now, it's free. substack.com/@tsurkankate

The sleep deprivation that comes with the start of motherhood rewires your brain in ways you cannot anticipate. So, I've started a Substack to write my way through reclaiming the so-called literary prowess I possessed during my Ph.D. studies. Subscribe! For now, it's free. substack.com/@tsurkankate

"Bakhmut is a difficult book to read - but one you cannot turn away from. Read it slowly, if you must. What's most important is that you read it. Let every detail settle into your bones. Let the suffering of every living being - animal and human alike -

“Chung has written a work that both honors and unsettles the conventions of science fiction.”

Some thoughts on Bora Chung's RED SWORD, translated by @antonhur.com. Expect non-Ukraine/EE-related book reviews from me at @apofeniemagazine.bsky.social. www.apofenie.com/the-latest-c...

I reviewed Oleksandr Mykhed's I'LL MIX YOUR BLOOD WITH COAL, which documents his time in Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, Dobropillia, Lysychansk, Siverskodonetsk, and Bakhmut before the full-scale war. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/as-trump-put...

As a culture reporter during wartime, sadly, I have to write a lot of obituaries. This one recounts the life of David Chichkan, committed anti-fascist artist who died defending Ukraine on the front line. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/ukraine-mour...

After following the recent tragic story of Francine Villa, I decided to write about the racism faced in Russia by Black Russians, immigrants from African nations, as well as the global Black diaspora. My latest for @kyivindependent.com. kyivindependent.com/what-its-rea...

A far-right Russian nationalist group tried to disrupt the memorial ceremony for the victims of Stalinist purges at Sandarmokh—among whom were Ukrainians, including Les Kurbas. I was surprised to learn the ceremony still takes place during wartime, respect to brave people who dare to remember.

kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-au... @katetsurkan.bsky.social on Artem Chapeye’s new book

If you’re in a normal, healthy relationship — you’re not going to say stupid shit like this They're trying to meme the U.S. into a cosplay variant of so-called traditional values, which in reality will be an abusive hellscape for many

Apofenie has returned more committed than ever to uncovering extraordinary literature from every corner of the world—especially the voices that get lost in translation. But we can’t do it alone. If you can, please consider becoming a member today and supporting our work. www.patreon.com/c/apofenie

Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.

Indeed. Colbert was targeted for his politics, there's no doubt about it. Every person who is celebrating is outing themselves as a supporter of Trump's fascist project.

My beloved literary magazine is back, and now you can follow on Bluesky for the latest updates.

Apofenie editor in chief @katetsurkan.bsky.social reviews Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad's "The Eyes of Gaza," read on an overnight train across wartime Ukraine. www.apofenie.com/the-latest-c...

"Chernivtsi is just an hour and a half drive from the Romanian city of Suceava. [...] Suceava’s international airport is welcoming flights today not only from Bucharest but from London and Milan, too. It feels like an alternate universe where less than a hundred km away" @katetsurkan.bsky.social