Yevgeny Kharitonov (poet)

Yevgeny Vladimirovich Kharitonov (Russian: Евгений Владимирович Харитонов; July 11, 1941 – February 29, 1981) was a Soviet Russian poet, writer, playwright, and director, considered a key figure in the Moscow underground literary and artistic scene of the 1970s. He is best known for his innovative prose, poetry, and dramas that explored themes of alienation, sexuality, spirituality, and the search for meaning in a repressive Soviet society.

Kharitonov's work was largely unpublished during his lifetime due to its transgressive themes and its rejection of Socialist Realism. He circulated his writings primarily through samizdat, the clandestine reproduction and distribution of banned literature. His works often feature a distinctive blend of lyrical beauty and grotesque imagery, reflecting the paradoxical realities of Soviet life.

Following his death from heart failure at the age of 39, Kharitonov's reputation grew steadily. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, his writings began to be published officially in the Soviet Union and Russia, garnering critical acclaim and a posthumous recognition of his significant contribution to Russian literature. His works have since been translated into multiple languages and continue to be studied for their artistic merit and historical significance. He is now recognized as a significant voice of the Soviet underground and a precursor to post-Soviet Russian literature.