Sasha Filipenko

About

Sasha Filipenko (born 1984) is a Belarusian novelist who writes in Russian. Born in Minsk, he initially trained in classical music before studying literature at Saint Petersburg State University. He subsequently worked as a journalist, screenwriter, television presenter, and writer for a satirical television programme, experiences that influenced his sharp, socially conscious approach to storytelling. Filipenko is known for novels that combine historical research, dark humour, and psychological insight to examine political repression, injustice, and the human consequences of authoritarian power. His notable works include Red Crosses (2017), which explores Soviet-era persecution through the memories of an elderly woman, The Ex-Son (2014), and The Hunt (2016). His novels have been translated into numerous languages and have received international recognition. An outspoken critic of authoritarianism in Belarus and Russia, Filipenko left Russia with his family in 2020 and now lives in Switzerland. His writing often revisits painful chapters of history while drawing parallels with contemporary society, highlighting the importance of memory, individual dignity, and resistance to political oppression.

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Red Crosses

Red Crosses tells the story of two people whose lives are shaped by tragedy, memory, and the lasting consequences of political repression. Alexander, a young man devastated by personal loss, moves to Minsk hoping to withdraw from the world. His plans change when he meets his elderly neighbour, Tatiana Alexeyevna, a woman in her nineties whose memory is gradually disappearing because of Alzheimer’s disease. To help herself navigate their apartment building, she marks doors with red crosses. Despite her fading memory, Tatiana vividly recalls the horrors of twentieth-century Soviet history. She tells Alexander about her work during the Second World War, her husband’s capture by enemy forces, and her subsequent arrest and imprisonment in a labour camp under Stalin’s regime. As her story unfolds, Alexander becomes increasingly invested in preserving her memories before they disappear. Through their unlikely friendship, Filipenko explores the relationship between personal grief and collective history. The novel examines political persecution, historical amnesia, and the importance of bearing witness to the past, suggesting that remembering those who suffered is an essential act of resistance.

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