Diagnosis: Russia

Is Russia suffering more from masochism, a messianic complex, or post-traumatic stress disorder? A launch of the new Czech translation of Kuba Benedyczak’s book Diagnosis: Russia: On Russians in the Time of Putinism, recently published by Absynt. The discussion with the Polish reporter will be moderated by journalist Eva Čeplová, editor at Voxpot specialising in Russia, East-Central Europe, and Russian influence operations in the Czech Republic..

Kuba Benedyczak is an analyst, journalist, and reporter. In Russia, he collaborated with non-profit organisations and, for as long as it was possible, visited the country frequently. The result of conversations with a highly diverse range of people and of his personal experience is a book that offers both a sarcastic and emotional portrait of contemporary Russia. If you wonder why Russians approve of Putin’s war in Ukraine and why they prefer not to address the appalling state of infrastructure, education, or healthcare instead, Kuba Benedyczak offers precisely these answers. He shows the state’s ability, through terror and ideology, to build a society addicted to the imperial cocaine.

During the evening, you will be able to purchase Kuba Benedyczak’s book Diagnosis: Russia, translated into Czech by Anna Šašková Plasová, at a discounted price.

The discussion will take place in Polish and Czech with interpreting.

· PARTNERS ·

The event is held in cooperation with the publishing house Absynt, the news and commentary platform Voxpot, and the Polish Institute in Prague, with financial support from the City of Prague, Prague 2, and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic as part of the Laichter House literary club.