Books & Talks: A Discussion of Lazarus by Svitlana Taratorina

Illustration

Date & Time: August 8, 14:00
Venue: Ye Bookstore, 39 Heroiv ATO Street, Kryvyi Rih

The event is part of the KRCC Culture Talks project, implemented in partnership with the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House.*
Lazarus is one of the most acclaimed works of contemporary Ukrainian speculative fiction, blending alternative history, detective fiction, urban fantasy, and Ukrainian mythology. Set in Kyiv in 1913, the novel unfolds in an alternative reality where humans and supernatural beings have learned to coexist after years of conflict. Yet this fragile peace is on the verge of collapse as a series of brutal murders, ancient prophecies, political conspiracies, and long-forgotten forces gradually push the city toward a new catastrophe.
The novel follows detective Oleksandr Tyurin as he investigates a string of mysterious crimes that prove to be only fragments of a much larger story. His search for the truth leads him not only through the hidden layers of the city but also into his own past, revealing that the greatest challenge is not solving the mystery itself, but choosing between justice, memory, and personal responsibility.
During the discussion, we will explore the world created by Svitlana Taratorina, the novel's alternative vision of Kyiv, its use of Ukrainian mythology and demonology, as well as its historical references and symbolism. Together, we will examine why Lazarus transcends the boundaries of genre fiction, raising profound questions about memory, power, coexistence, violence, and the cyclical nature of history.
Books & Talks is a space for thoughtful reading, open discussion, and collective reflection on contemporary Ukrainian literature. We welcome everyone who has already read the novel, as well as those who are just about to discover its remarkable world.
*The Ukrainian-Danish Youth House is a programme implemented by the Danish Cultural Institute and the Danish Youth Council, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

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