Jana Bakunina, ‘The Good Russian: What Do Ordinary People Think in Putin’s Russia Today?’
St Catherine’s College proudly presents the next talk in the Trinity Edition of Catz in Conversation – our all-new webinar series by alumni, for everyone.
On Wednesday, 20th May at 6pm, Jana Bakunina will share insights from her recent book, The Good Russian, an evocative exploration of contemporary Russia that blends personal memoir with incisive cultural and political observation. Returning to her homeland in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, she sought to understand how ordinary Russians perceive the conflict and the threat of war, how national identity endures under authoritarian pressure, and whether the ‘soul’ of her country has been diminished or transformed by modern forces.
In this talk, Jana will reflect on her experiences returning to Russia in the wake of the war in Ukraine, drawing on conversations and encounters that shaped her understanding of how individuals navigate questions of identity, loyalty, and belief under political pressure.
Described by Simon Kuper of the Financial Times as “a unique and necessary book”, The Good Russian offers a nuanced and humane portrait of life inside wartime Russia. In this talk, Bakunina will expand on the themes of her work, considering the personal costs of political crisis, the resilience of identity, and the possibilities – and limits – of hope for a different future.
Aimed at anyone with an interest in politics, cultural identity, and contemporary history, this webinar will offer the chance to hear directly from one of today’s most exciting emerging voices in modern writing, and to engage with her firsthand through a live Q&A, with the opportunity to put your questions to her directly.
Jana Bakunina
Jana Bakunina (1999, Economics & Management) is a writer whose work explores questions of national identity, political transformation, and personal experience in contemporary Russia. A Russian-born Londoner and author, she has written personal memoirs, short stories, and her latest work of historical fiction – all to much acclaim.
Her recent book, The Good Russian (2025) has been widely praised for its honesty and humanity, offering a deeply personal yet analytically sharp account of life in Putin’s Russia. Combining memoir with cultural and political insight, her work seeks to move beyond conventional narratives to illuminate the lived realities of ordinary people during a time of war and uncertainty. Her bibliography also includes memoir Bird’s Milk (2017) and the short story collection Stories by a Russian Londoner (2024).
Her writing explores questions of identity, belonging, and political transformation, drawing on personal experience across Russia and the diaspora. She has contributed to the Financial Times, The Standard, and New Statesman, as well as speaking regularly at prestigious literary events.
Through her writing, Bakunina brings together careful observation, emotional depth, and a commitment to understanding the complexities of identity and conscience in a rapidly changing world.
To secure your place at our full term of online talks, please see here. All talks in the series are scheduled for either a lunchtime (1-2pm) or an evening (6-7pm) slot. All are free to attend and open to all. Lasting 45 minutes and followed by an audience Q&A, these talks are the perfect chance to strengthen your professional network, to advance your knowledge, and to hear from past generations of Catz alumni working in future-forward fields.
All webinars are hosted on Zoom. Unless stated otherwise, they are recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel.
Date
20 May, 2026
Time
6 - 7pm
Venue
Online, via Zoom
Price
Free