Multea Guest: Ramil Niyazov

Ramil Niyazov describes himself as a “Russophone poet coming from the post-Soviet Uyghur community” (Рус тилдә йезиватқан ярлик уйғурларниң шаир). While his main literary language is Russian, Ramil’s poetry frequently includes words, phrases, and quotations in a wide range of other languages, from Kazakh, Uyghur and Arabic to Armenian, Azeri, Turkish, and more.

In this interview, we will discuss the role that these multiple languages and scripts play in his poetic work, focusing in particular on the role of multilingualism in relation to recent history and geopolitics (the “post-Soviet”) and the more personal past(s) tied up with linguistic, ethnic, and other forms of community.

We will reflect particularly on the role of multilingual poetry in the context of evolving conversations about imperialism and colonialism in the region in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ramil Niyazov will also read some of his poetry.

This interview will be held in Russian with consecutive interpretation. Translations of the poems will be circulated to registered attendees ahead of the event.

Join us on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at

• 8 AM EST (New York)
• 1 pm (London)
• 14:00 CET (Berlin, Budapest)

Please sign up before 25 January 2025 at zerocodeswitching // at // pm.me for the Zoom link.