SUMMARY:

This interview with the literary scholar Naomi Caffee discusses “Russophonia” – a term she coined to redefine the study of Russian-language literature and culture beyond Russia’s borders. This approach advocates a language-based perspective rather than a geographically centered one, acknowledging the diverse experiences of ethnically non-Russian authors who write in Russian. Caffee explains that this framework emerged from observations of cultural diversity within Russia and a desire to categorize “non-Russian, Russian literature” that did not fit traditional canons. Russophonia is contrasted with other frameworks like “global Russian cultures” and “archipelago of Russian cultures.” Ultimately, Russophonia seeks to challenge notions of Russianness and address the pluralistic nature of Russian-speaking societies worldwide.