Andrey Kurkov is considered to be one of the greatest contemporary Ukrainian writers. His work, including novels like Death and the Penguin and Grey Bees, is dark, humorous and satirical. As a keen observer of post-Soviet society, Kurkov proved to have prophetic qualities. What role does literature have in times of war? Dutch writer Manon Uphoff will present a literary interlude.
Since Russia fully invaded Ukraine, Kurkov said he wasn’t able to write fiction anymore. Yet, in a time when Ukraine’s culture is under threat, Kurkov’s voice remains vital. Kurkov has become one of the most important voices documenting the war’s impact on Ukrainian culture and identity.
Putin’s calculation is simple: a Ukraine with a permanent war in its eastern region will never be fully welcomed by Europe or the rest of the world
Andrey Kurkov
Your ticket is valid for the entire day, so you’re warmly welcome to attend other programs as well. You can check the full timetable here. Please note: visitors with a ticket for a specific program will be given priority. Once a venue reaches full capacity, we unfortunately won’t be able to admit additional visitors.
About the Speaker:
Andrey Kurkov (1961) is a Ukrainian writer and journalist. His novels, including Death and the Penguin, Grey Bees, and The Silver Bone, have been translated into over 40 languages. He is a keen observer of post-Soviet societies, blending satire, political commentary, and deeply human storytelling.
Manon Uphoff is a Dutch writer, screenwriter, and visual artist. Her novel Vallen is als vliegen (Falling is Like Flying) was named the best Dutch-language novel of 2019 by NRC and was shortlisted for major literary awards. The book has been translated into English, Spanish, and Hungarian, with the English edition recognized by the Times Literary Supplement as one of the best books of 2024. In 2024, Uphoff was inducted into the Akademie van Kunsten. Her latest work, Laat me binnen (2025), is a collection of three stories exploring themes of exile, trauma, and the search for connection.
Forum on European Culture
Who’s afraid of art? Now that tyrants are on the roll and more and more people in the West seem to be falling for the autocratic alternative, the Forum on European Culture brings together international artists, writers, and thinkers to celebrate the subversive power of art and literature.
Speakers
On Ukraine’s past, present and future
Pulitzer prize winning author Anne Applebaum and Ukrainian philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko engage in conversation about Ukraine’s past, present and future.
Five days, 30+ programs, 40+ international artists, writers & thinkers, art installations, film screenings, talks and more
Who’s afraid of art? Now that tyrants are on the roll and more and more people in the West seem to be falling for the autocratic alternative, De Balie brings together over 40 international artists, writers, and thinkers. During Forum on European Culture, we celebrate the subversive power of art and literature. It is no
