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I am a Bolshevik.

There are people who think I'm a Bolshevik, and this is all a major distraction at best and heresy at worst. But I really don't care.

Having spent the greater part of my life under a Communist dictatorship, I am very familiar with the Bolshevik mentality according to which an author in general, and an eminent author in particular, is always guilty, and must be punished accordingly.

I'm actually embarrassed to tell people I'm Russian these days, because it's become such an awful place.

I am a Marxist Leninist and I will be one until the last day of my life.

Scratch a Russian, and you'll find a peasant.

Many people thought I would never succeed, because I am so Russian. So Russian, hundred percent.

Although I am losing my Soviet citizenship, I do not cease to be a Russian poet.

I work on a laptop specifically so I can work in cafes and pretend I'm part of the human world.

I am also one of those persons who were transformed, who grew out of the Soviet system and transformed myself into the new Russia.