There is something about geological extremes that resets the human perspective. In the past month, I’ve found myself drawn to landscapes that speak of time’s immensity—first the ancient granite formations of Karelia in northwestern Russia, then the otherworldly limestone chambers of Damlatas Cave in Turkey. These contrasting environments—one vast and exposed, the other enclosed and […]
Karelia & Damlatas Cave: Nature’s Raw Power Read More »
Cities reveal themselves differently after sunset. Budapest, already mesmerizing by day with its neo-Gothic parliament and art nouveau facades, transforms into something truly magical in the evening hours. For the past three nights, I’ve been attending performances at the Budapest Summer Festival, where the illuminated Chain Bridge and Buda Castle provide a backdrop so spectacular
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Today I can finally share news that I’ve been keeping close for months: my new novel “Inhuman Humanity” will be published this spring. The manuscript has completed its journey through editing and production, and soon it will exist as an object in the world, separate from me yet carrying something of my voice. This novel
On the Brink: ‘Inhuman Humanity’ Is Coming Read More »
Last week, I had the remarkable experience of returning to Moscow for a literary evening dedicated to “Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” https://kotlyarov-publishers.ru/product/raskolotye-gorizonty-tarveranashattered-horizons-of-tarveran-romannovel-2023-by-anastasia-dubinina at the Library of Foreign Literature. After spending so much time developing my work abroad, sharing it with readers in Russia felt like a meaningful bridge between the different cultural spheres that have
Literary Evening at the Library of Foreign Literature: “Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” Read More »
Cities reveal themselves most honestly during moments of collective celebration. This past weekend, I discovered Belfast in precisely such a state of joyful self-expression during Culture Night—an annual September event that transforms the city’s streets into an expansive, democratic canvas for artistic expression of all forms. I stumbled upon this festival entirely by accident. Having
Culture Night Belfast: Embracing the City’s Creative Pulse Read More »
Every poem I write begins with an image — a bright, often anxious flash of emotion or experience that demands to be embodied in words. My latest work, “Departure,” was born from the chaotic energy of a train station—a place where beginnings and ends collide in a whirlwind of movement and noise. Initially, it was
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I’m excited to announce that my new novel, “Shattered Horizons of Tarveran,” is now available! This marks my first venture into speculative fiction, and I’m thrilled to invite readers into the fractured reality of Tarveran city. This project represents a significant departure from my previous work. While “Life on the Island” explored isolation through a
“Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” – My Journey into Speculative Fiction (Release) Read More »
There’s something wonderfully paradoxical about experiencing the Venice Architecture Biennale—this exhibition of radical futures unfolding within one of the world’s most preciously preserved historical environments. Venice itself seems to exist in defiance of rational urban planning, a labyrinthine dream-city built on water, its foundations driven into lagoon mud centuries before modern engineering. Yet here, in
Imagined Futures – Wandering Through Venice Biennale Read More »
After months of writing, revising, and navigating the publishing process, I’m thrilled to announce that my novel “Shattered Horizons of Tarveran” will be published this summer. The manuscript has been accepted, the contract signed, and the reality of this book entering the world is gradually becoming tangible. From fragments of ideas sketched in notebooks to
Announcing ‘Shattered Horizons of Tarveran’ Read More »
The Rijksmuseum’s halls were hushed despite the crowds. We moved slowly through the galleries, pilgrims paying homage to a master of light and silence. The Vermeer exhibition—the largest retrospective of his work ever assembled—has drawn visitors from across the world, all of us seeking something in these luminous, enigmatic canvases. What strikes me most about
Amsterdam, Vermeer Exhibition: Inspiration from Stillness Read More »
