Polina Zherebtsova

Polina Zherebtsova, born on March 20, 1985, in Grozny, Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Republic, USSR, is a multifaceted talent known for her work as a poet, historian, journalist, philosopher, and human rights defender. Growing up in a mixed ethnic family, her formative years were profoundly shaped by the tumultuous backdrop of two Chechen wars, experiences she poignantly captures in her acclaimed work, 'Ant in a Glass Jar'. This collection of diaries chronicles her childhood, adolescence, and youth during a time of conflict.

Beginning her journalism career in 2002, Polina has made significant contributions to the field, becoming a member of PEN International and the Union of Journalists of Russia. Her dedication to truth and justice has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Janusz Korczak international prize in Jerusalem for both narrative and documentary prose, as well as the Andrei Sakharov Award for Journalism as an Act of Conscience in 2012. In 2013, she sought political asylum in Finland, further emphasizing her commitment to human rights.

Polina's firsthand accounts of war are strikingly different from those of her contemporaries; while others report from a distance, she writes from the heart of darkness. Her report on war crimes in Chechnya from 1994 to 2004 stands as a testament to her courage and integrity. Her diaries, translated into multiple languages including Ukrainian, Slovenian, and French, have reached a global audience, allowing her voice to resonate far beyond her homeland.

In addition to her literary achievements, Polina has participated in numerous literary festivals worldwide and has been featured in interviews with major media outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, and Reuters. Uniquely, she has always retained the rights to her translations, choosing to manage the publishing process independently, a reflection of her strong belief in her work and its impact.