Boris Korkmazov

Boris Korkmazov (1958) is a novelist, short story writer and advocate for minority language rights from the North Caucasian Republic of Cherkessia-Karachay.

He has published several books in Russia and has featured in a collection of short stories by North Caucasian writers under the title A Lifelong War. Until August 2008, Korkmazov was the head of the bibliography department of the ‘Master-Kniga’ (‘Master Book’) publishing house in Moscow.  

Having made many public statements critical of a range of Russian government policies seen as exacerbating ethnic tensions, especially in the Caucasus, Korkmazov received threats for years. This culminated in August 2008 after he visited Cherkessia and addressed the Council of Elders on various contentious issues, leading him to find residence as ICORN Guest Writer in Brussels between 2011 and 2012.

Since then, Korkmazov has participated in panel discussions and lectures, and given interviews. He has also testified on the situation in the North Caucasus in a documentary whilst continuing to write short stories. His work has included an anthology of Caucasian fairy tales and a yearbook on Turkology, both subsequently published in Moscow.