‘The moment you start experimenting with the word its soul is gone’

Abstract

E. Konstantinova interviews V. Zubareva, a poet, literary critic, author of over twenty books, including monographs, poems and prose, as well as winner of several literary awards. The two discuss the essence of literature and the different interpretation it receives in academic research, artistic prose, and poetry, respectively. The interview particularly dwells on V. Zubareva’s new translation of The Tale of Igor’s Campaign [ Slovo o polku Igoreve ] and the Tale’s new concept, according to which, as Zubareva suggests, the author and the narrator are different people and the tale’s real hero is Svyatoslav, who dreams of unifying Russian princedoms, rather than Igor. A US resident of over 30 years, Zubareva also comments on the problem of modern Slavic studies abroad and shares updates on her projects, such as Russkoe Bezrubezhye [ Russian Literature Without Borders ], Orlita, and the Gostinaya literary magazine.