Yuri Buida (Znamensk, 1954) is one of the most important contemporary Russian writers. Born in the Kaliningrad region —former territory of East Prussia, occupied by Soviet troops in 1945—, Buida descends from immigrants of Russian, Polish, Belarusian and Ukrainian origin. His works give important weight to issues such as identity, belonging, transience or the battered links with the past. Fantastic myths reappear in his literary universe; suspicious soldiers, enemies of the people, crazy visionaries, magicians and strange prostitutes (who are at the same time agents of the intelligence service) parade through its pages; Threat, secrets and death lurk around every corner, but his unique style exudes fierce vitality and humor.

Yuri Buida has been awarded the prestigious Apollon Grigoriev Prize.