Mind the Book puts Russia centre stage

But for the lack of Tom Lanoyes and Ian McEwans, there is a wealth of intellectual prowess in the room – actually several rooms spread across Ghent’s labyrinthine culture centre Vooruit. And this year the English-language choices are many.

The timing couldn’t have been better for authors concerned with human rights; this month’s Olympics in Sochi has got debates on the subject infiltrating both our online and offline lives. A series of critical articles got British correspondent Luke Harding of The Guardian kicked out of Moscow in 2011, but he had enough material to publish Mafia State: How One Reporter Became an Enemy of the Brutal New Russia. His latest book covers the story around whistleblower Edward Snowden.

At Mind the Book, Harding presents the talk “Freedom of Speech: Snowden and Pussy Riot” together with Russian/American Putin biographer Masha Gessen (pictured), known for her interviews with the currently very famous Russian punk band. Her brand new book is called Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot.

There’s more on the Russian theme from writer and historian Catherine Merridale, who will present her new book Red Fortress: the Secret Heart of Russia’s History. Her knowledge of the Kremlin building alone will impress you.

Other English-language highlights include the multi-talented psychologist and author Andrew Solomon, who will bring along his newest book Far from the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity, and Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (pictured), whose new book Americanah introduces us to a memorable group of new immigrants to the US.

And a little nod to fiction indeed: During Mind the Book, Flemish culture minister Joke Schauvliege will  hand over the Flemish Community’s Prize for Letters during a special event featuring Dutch author Connie Palmen.

20-23 February
Vooruit, Ghent
www.mindthebook.be

photo by Tanya Sazansky