Evgeny Vodolazkin and Vladimir Korotkevich: Two great writers of Russia and Belarus

Evgeny Vodolazkin is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in contemporary Russian literature. A distinguished prose writer and one of the youngest Doctors of Philology in Russia, he has made a notable contribution to modern literary heritage. His acclaimed novel «Laurus» has been translated into more than thirty languages, bringing his work to a global audience. In 2018, the Jagiellonian University in Krakow hosted an international conference titled «Iconic Names of Contemporary Russian Literature: Evgeny Vodolazkin», highlighting his growing influence in both academic and literary circles.&nbsp; <div> Born into a Saint Petersburg family with deep educational roots-his great-grandfather served as a gymnasium headmaster-Vodolazkin graduated with honors from Kyiv State University in 1986. The same year, he began postgraduate studies at the Institute of Russian Literature of the USSR Academy of Sciences, working in the Department of Old Russian Literature under the guidance of the renowned scholar Dmitry Likhachov.&nbsp; </div> <div> He earned his doctorate degree in 2000 with a dissertation titled «World History in the Literature of Ancient Rus». Vodolazkin first attracted wide attention with his 2010 novel «Solovyov and Larionov», but it was «Laurus» (2013), the story of a medieval healer named Arseny, that firmly established his reputation. The novel received major literary awards, including the «Big Book Prize» and «Yasnaya Polyana». His works have also found a second life on stage, with numerous theatrical adaptations in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.&nbsp; </div> <div> Among his novels, «The Aviator» stands out for its philosophical depth. It tells the story of a man revived after a century of cryogenic preservation, who awakens with no memory of his past. Gradually, with the help of a compassionate doctor and his wife, he reconstructs his life story-upon which not only the success of the experiment, but potentially the fate of humanity depends. The novel explores memory, identity, and the fragile boundary between past and future.&nbsp; </div> <div> Curiously, younger students at institutions such as MGIMO may be unfamiliar with Vodolazkin's work, even while easily recognizing modern cultural markers like the word «turtleneck». In contrast, Belarusian schoolchildren are well acquainted with their own literary classic, Vladimir Korotkevich. Vladimir Semyonovich Korotkevich remains one of the most beloved figures in Belarusian literature. In November 2025, Belarus marked the 95th anniversary of his birth. Born in 1930 in the historic town of Orsha, Korotkevich grew up surrounded by stories. His mother, a village schoolteacher, nurtured his imagination with folklore, legends, and historical tales. A gifted child, he learned to read at just three and a half and began writing poetry by the age of six.&nbsp; </div> <div> Korotkevich's heritage reflected a complex history: on his mother's side, he descended from a noble family that had supported 19th-century uprisings, while his grandfather served as a high-ranking official in the Russian Empire.&nbsp; </div> <div> During World War II, Korotkevich lived in evacuation across several regions, including Moscow and Kyiv. After the war, his early literary experiments appeared in a handwritten school magazine. He later studied philology at Kyiv State University and continued into postgraduate work. His early novel «The Wild Hunt of King Stakh», written during his student years, would become one of his most enduring works.&nbsp; </div> <div> This haunting blend of historical detective fiction and mysticism captivated generations of readers. It became more than just a popular book-it evolved into a cultural symbol. At one time, copies were so sought after that library issues were restricted, and readers shared them secretly among friends. Even decades later, its title remains instantly recognizable in Belarusian culture. </div>