Andrei Ivanov

Andrei Ivanov (1971) is a novelist, who has become a phenomenon that has trouble fitting into Estonian literature alone. Ivanov clearly demonstrates that eloquent literature has no homeland, because it finds a place everywhere, across borders of various kinds, yet it never takes root anywhere, being too restless a spirit. Ivanov himself has repeatedly stressed the universal nature of his work, both in form and subject matter. His inspiration does not always come from Estonia or Russia – starting with the work of Louis-Ferdinand Céline, whose intense and chanting style can often be sensed in Ivanov’s works, and ending with the island called Lolland in Denmark, where several of his novels are set. In terms of subject matter, Ivanov could be classified as an existentialist because according to him, people’s ability to distinguish between reality and illusions is important – and Ivanov delves into this with both sarcastic brutality as well as unreserved sincerity. Every book by Ivanov is a major event and naturally, his latest work Confession of a Lunatic is no exception. On Sunday, 31 May at 3 pm, Ivanov will give a talk at the Estonian Writers’ Union, joined by one of his greatest fans and specialists of his work, Tarmo Jüristo.