Russian-born author to speak March 10 about growing up in police state

Author Eugene Yelchin will speak about growing up in communist Russia during a March 10 speech titled "In the Forest of Raised Hands - How Reading in a Police State Saved My Life."

The event will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Special Collections on the sixth floor of Wilson Library.

The total state control in the former Soviet Union prevented its citizens from exercising personal and intellectual freedom, and any dissent was severely punished. Yelchin, a Russian-born author and illustrator, will speak about his personal experience of growing up under this oppressive regime and the role books banned by the state played in his eventual liberation.

His novel "Breaking Stalin’s Nose" received a Newbery Honor and was translated into nine languages. His latest novel, "Arcady’s Goal," is the New York Times Book Review 2014 Notable Book for Children. His picture books received many awards, including the National Jewish Book Award and the Tomie DePaola Award, and were included in The Best Books of the Year lists.

This lecture is presented in association with WhatcomReads! For more information about this event, contact Sylvia Tag at sylvia.tag@wwu.edu or 360-650-7992.