London is set to host the Slovo ('Word') Russian literature festival, a three-week intellectual event featuring the cream of Russia’s literary world.

      Originally part of the London Book Fair, the festival brings together prominent contemporary figures, including Dmitry Bykov, Vladimir Sharov, Mikhail Shishkin, Lev Danilkin, Demyan Kudryavtsev, and others.

      Dmitry Bykov will give lectures on Mayakovsky and Pasternak while former editor-in-chief of Kommersant daily will speak about the price of the freedom of speech in Russia.

      The festival – expected to last till March 26, 2013 – will also announce the best young translator from Russian into English, with a prize of 5,000 Euro.