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annagunin.bsky.social
Anna Gunin
@annagunin.bsky.social
1.8K followers 980 following 480 posts
Translator from Russian of Svetlana Alexievich, Pavel Bazhov, Oleg Pavlov and others

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annagunin.bsky.social
Anna Gunin @annagunin.bsky.social · Nov 11
My review of Tom Parfitt’s HIGH CAUCASUS appears in the latest issue of Critical Muslim.

A painfully relevant book.
Reposted by Anna Gunin
isabeltranslates.bsky.social
Chernobyl Prayer, Svetlana Alexievich, trs. @annagunin.bsky.social & Arch Tait.

My final #WomenInTranslationMonth read (started in August; it counts!) & wow. I don't understand how something so harrowing & devastating can also be so gorgeous. A tour de force – hats off to the translators!
💙📚 #xl8
Photo of the front cover of the book Chernobyl Prayer, by Svetlana Alexievich. The top third is white, with the publisher's logo (Penguin) and author's name in pale blue, the title and the words 'Winner of the Nobel Prize in [sic] Literature' in black. The image below shows a blurred view from a dirty window spattered with rain – a blurred grey object stands to the left, blocking two-thirds of the window, with some green and a hint of sky visible to the right. A butterfly or moth, in focus, sits on the window towards the bottom left. The names of the translators, Anna Gunin and Arch Tait, are not mentioned.
September 6, 2026 at 8:06 AM
annagunin.bsky.social
A devastating thread from Instagram. On the conditions in Gaza and the genocidal glee in Israel.

‘The plausible denial of “I didn’t know has collapsed, and choosing to be in denial is a choice to be complicit.’

Source: Daniel Klein
July 30, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social
We asked Oxford Translates 2026 participants what they thought about the summer school - check out what they said below!

It was a pleasure to see so many literary translators come together and share their enthusiasm for this wonderful craft.
July 23, 2026 at 11:51 AM
annagunin.bsky.social
“Try to rethink everything. Offer something different. It’s OK to experiment … Don’t give up too soon. There is always another way to say it.”
May 31, 2026 at 3:56 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
It’s deeply troubling to see the normalisation of excessive and potentially lethal police violence in the UK!

Kremlin-style policing should never be accepted. Wake up!
annagunin.bsky.social Anna Gunin @annagunin.bsky.social · May 5
Q: Can it ever be appropriate for policemen to kick a suspect armed with a knife who is already lying on the ground repeatedly in the head? Would it be a standard professional approach or an effective tactic?

Response from ChatGPT. (Not an authoritative source, but informative, nevertheless.)
Q: Can it ever be appropriate for policemen to kick a suspect armed with a knife who is already lying on the ground repeatedly in the head? Would it be a standard professional approach or an effective tactic? Short answer: it would almost never be considered appropriate, standard, or effective for police to repeatedly kick a grounded suspect in the head—even if the person has (or had) a knife. Core principles of police use of force Modern policing frameworks (e.g., the UK’s Criminal Law Act 1967 and Human Rights Act 1998, alongside College of Policing guidance) are built on: Necessity → force only if required Proportionality → match the threat level Reasonableness → judged from the officer’s perspective at the time Force must stop once the threat is controlled. [Response from ChatGPT] ⚖️ If the suspect is on the ground Being “on the ground” matters a lot, but not absolutely. The key question is: Do they still pose an immediate threat? Possible scenarios: ✔️ Still a threat (rare but possible) still holding the knife actively trying to get up or attack within striking distance Even then, officers are trained to: create distance control limbs use approved restraint techniques or tools —not to strike the head repeatedly. ❌ Why repeated kicks to the head are problematic 1) High risk of serious injury or death Head strikes can cause: brain injury skull fractures fatal outcomes This raises major legal and ethical concerns. 2) Not standard training Professional tactics emphasize: containment de-escalation controlled restraint Repeated head-kicking is not part of standard police training. 3) Loss of proportionality Once a suspect is: grounded contained no longer actively attacking continued high-level force is likely to be judged excessive. 4) Operationally inefficient It: doesn’t reliably disarm can escalate chaos reduces officer control compared to restraint techniques 🧠 What is considered appropriate instead In knife scenarios, trained responses typically include: maintaining distance verbal commands use of equipment (e.g., baton, taser where available) coordinated restraint targeting limb control, not the head ⚖️ Legal reality If officers used repeated head kicks in such a situation, investigators would ask: Was there an immediate threat to life at that moment? Was this the least necessary force? Did force continue after the threat diminished? In many cases, that level of force would risk being judged: excessive and unlawful ✔️ Bottom line Not standard practice Not generally effective as a control tactic Very likely disproportionate unless under extreme, rapidly evolving threat Even with a knife involved, once a suspect is down: the expectation is control and restraint—not repeated strikes to the head.
May 7, 2026 at 5:14 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
The Dalkey Archive edition of CHERNOBYL PRAYER is published today.
annagunin.bsky.social Anna Gunin @annagunin.bsky.social · Apr 10
My co-translation of Svetlana Alexievich’s CHERNOBYL PRAYER comes out in the USA on 5 May.

‘A beautifully written book, it's been years since I had to look away from a page because it was just too heart-breaking to go on.’ — Arundhati Roy
May 5, 2026 at 3:15 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
Q: Can it ever be appropriate for policemen to kick a suspect armed with a knife who is already lying on the ground repeatedly in the head? Would it be a standard professional approach or an effective tactic?

Response from ChatGPT. (Not an authoritative source, but informative, nevertheless.)
Q: Can it ever be appropriate for policemen to kick a suspect armed with a knife who is already lying on the ground repeatedly in the head? Would it be a standard professional approach or an effective tactic? Short answer: it would almost never be considered appropriate, standard, or effective for police to repeatedly kick a grounded suspect in the head—even if the person has (or had) a knife. Core principles of police use of force Modern policing frameworks (e.g., the UK’s Criminal Law Act 1967 and Human Rights Act 1998, alongside College of Policing guidance) are built on: Necessity → force only if required Proportionality → match the threat level Reasonableness → judged from the officer’s perspective at the time Force must stop once the threat is controlled. [Response from ChatGPT] ⚖️ If the suspect is on the ground Being “on the ground” matters a lot, but not absolutely. The key question is: Do they still pose an immediate threat? Possible scenarios: ✔️ Still a threat (rare but possible) still holding the knife actively trying to get up or attack within striking distance Even then, officers are trained to: create distance control limbs use approved restraint techniques or tools —not to strike the head repeatedly. ❌ Why repeated kicks to the head are problematic 1) High risk of serious injury or death Head strikes can cause: brain injury skull fractures fatal outcomes This raises major legal and ethical concerns. 2) Not standard training Professional tactics emphasize: containment de-escalation controlled restraint Repeated head-kicking is not part of standard police training. 3) Loss of proportionality Once a suspect is: grounded contained no longer actively attacking continued high-level force is likely to be judged excessive. 4) Operationally inefficient It: doesn’t reliably disarm can escalate chaos reduces officer control compared to restraint techniques 🧠 What is considered appropriate instead In knife scenarios, trained responses typically include: maintaining distance verbal commands use of equipment (e.g., baton, taser where available) coordinated restraint targeting limb control, not the head ⚖️ Legal reality If officers used repeated head kicks in such a situation, investigators would ask: Was there an immediate threat to life at that moment? Was this the least necessary force? Did force continue after the threat diminished? In many cases, that level of force would risk being judged: excessive and unlawful ✔️ Bottom line Not standard practice Not generally effective as a control tactic Very likely disproportionate unless under extreme, rapidly evolving threat Even with a knife involved, once a suspect is down: the expectation is control and restraint—not repeated strikes to the head.
May 5, 2026 at 3:14 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
> Four decades on from the Chornobyl disaster, small communities of scientists, elderly returnees and soldiers have carved out lives among its abandoned buildings, while wildlife thrives in the surrounding forests.

www.aljazeera.com/features/lon...
Chornobyl at 40: Settlers and horses survive Russian drones, contamination
A radiation survivor and expert, an elderly returnee, and a wildlife researcher paint a picture of life 40 years later.
www.aljazeera.com
April 25, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
annagunin.bsky.social
My co-translation of Svetlana Alexievich’s CHERNOBYL PRAYER comes out in the USA on 5 May.

‘A beautifully written book, it's been years since I had to look away from a page because it was just too heart-breaking to go on.’ — Arundhati Roy
April 10, 2026 at 4:43 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
My co-translation of Svetlana Alexievich’s CHERNOBYL PRAYER comes out in the USA on 5 May.

‘A beautifully written book, it's been years since I had to look away from a page because it was just too heart-breaking to go on.’ — Arundhati Roy
April 10, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
stuhennigan.bsky.social
#LibrariesChangeLives
annagunin.bsky.social Anna Gunin @annagunin.bsky.social · Apr 5
Libraries for me have been a source not just of books, but also of cool music, world cinema, and in the early days of the internet, they were a place to go online. Where was I on 11 September 2001? Using the library computer. Only found out what had happened once I got home. A strange memory.
stuhennigan.bsky.social Stu Hennigan @stuhennigan.bsky.social · Apr 1
I did this on Twitter years ago and got some amazing answers. Let's see if we can get #LibrariesChangeLives trending and show what amazing things can grow from properly funded public services and the value of providing free access to books, reading and educational resources for all.
April 5, 2026 at 3:22 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
Libraries for me have been a source not just of books, but also of cool music, world cinema, and in the early days of the internet, they were a place to go online. Where was I on 11 September 2001? Using the library computer. Only found out what had happened once I got home. A strange memory.
stuhennigan.bsky.social Stu Hennigan @stuhennigan.bsky.social · Apr 1
I did this on Twitter years ago and got some amazing answers. Let's see if we can get #LibrariesChangeLives trending and show what amazing things can grow from properly funded public services and the value of providing free access to books, reading and educational resources for all.
meltedliso.bsky.social Ali @meltedliso.bsky.social · Apr 1
Tonight's positivity, let's all give a bit of love to libraries #Libraries

Stu is spot on here, they save lives, I was saved by my local library and Librarians, how about you?
April 5, 2026 at 12:45 AM
annagunin.bsky.social
Внимание, внимание!

Early-bird discount deadline is fast approaching.

Come and spend a week immersed in the wonders of literary translation.
March 30, 2026 at 12:10 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
Внимание, внимание!

Don’t miss the deadline for the early-bird discount.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the Russian workshop.
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social Oxford Translates @oxfordtranslates.bsky.social · Mar 27
Friends! Translators! Both! There are 5 days left to apply for the #Oxford Translates early-bird discount. Places for many workshops are filled, so don't delay any further.

If you are hesitating, this is your chance to make this the summer you plunge into the world of literary translation.
March 27, 2026 at 7:51 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
‘Trump is looking like a man who has never played chess before, and who suddenly moved his king to the centre of the board and doesn't really understand why he's now under attack.’

— Emily Maitlis
March 22, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social
This year's inaugural Russian-English workshop at Oxford Translates will be led by acclaimed translator @annagunin.bsky.social.

General applications are still open - scholarship applications close today! Apply by the 31st March to access the early-bird discount.
March 16, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social
Applications are still open - bursary & early-bird deadlines are fast approaching!

www.seh.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtransl...
Apply to Oxford Translates Summer School at St Edmund Hall | St Edmund Hall
Oxford Translates is an online literary translation summer school at St Edmund Hall; find out how to apply, fees, eligibility criteria and scholarships.
www.seh.ox.ac.uk
March 4, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
newlinesmag.bsky.social
"We still don’t know when Hind’s life ended. She feared the dark, and for all the heroism and sacrifices of the PRCS, the darkness found her." 
@idreesahmad.bsky.social reviews the Oscar-nominated feature “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”
Hind Rajab and the Dying Light
Kaouther Ben Hania’s film retells the story of the 5-year-old’s final hours and amplifies her voice to indict the world’s silence over Gaza’s children
newlinesmag.com
February 21, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social
Deadlines for bursaries and the early-bird discount are fast approaching. Find more information in the link below:

www.seh.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtransl...
Apply to Oxford Translates Summer School at St Edmund Hall | St Edmund Hall
Oxford Translates is an online literary translation summer school at St Edmund Hall; find out how to apply, fees, eligibility criteria and scholarships.
www.seh.ox.ac.uk
February 23, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social
Applications are now open - the deadline for bursary applications is the 16th March, while the deadline for the early-bird discount is the 31st March.

All details here!

www.seh.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtransl...
January 21, 2026 at 10:16 AM
annagunin.bsky.social
If the idea of spending a week immersed in literary translation appeals, then you will be warmly welcomed at Oxford Translates! I’ll be leading the Russian workshops, and for 2026 there is a wide choice of languages plus a multilingual-into-English option.
oxfordtranslates.bsky.social Oxford Translates @oxfordtranslates.bsky.social · Jan 15
After a successful 5 years at the University of Bristol, our online literary translation summer school is moving to St Edmund Hall, University of #Oxford. Once again, we have a line-up of stellar tutors and inspiring speakers!
January 19, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
mikegalsworthy.bsky.social
Nice one Meta -

Dead children who wrote poetry of hope before they were killed are really dangerous. 🙄
July 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
annagunin.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
tanjilrashid.bsky.social
7/7 was twenty years ago today.

In my column for the @newstatesman.com, I reflect on how the London bombings reshaped British cultural life and brought 'the Muslim' to the centre of its discourse.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/soc...
July 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Anna Gunin
hollylangstaff.bsky.social
I made a Starter Pack for everyone involved in @bristoltranslates.bsky.social (Bristol Translates Summer School) in 2025. Very happy to add attendees and anyone else I've missed on here! go.bsky.app/Dr1iv4J
July 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM