During the award ceremony for the prestigious recognition, which adds to her Nobel Prize in Literature from 2015 and the International Catalonia Prize, the author shared her views on journalism and literature. Alexievich, known for works such as The Unwomanly Face of War, Chernobyl Prayer, and Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets, considers herself both a journalist and a writer, defining her work as a new literary genre.
“"I am considered a journalist because I have the training of a journalist and a writer. So what I do can be considered a new literary genre. Currently, in this world where musical genres and arts are changing, the same thing happens with literature."
The writer explained her working method, which seeks to give voice to human experiences without her own figure as an author overshadowing the narrative. She compared her approach to architectural or musical creation, where the work transcends its creator. She also revealed that, due to her exile from Belarus, she had to abandon manuscripts of books on love and old age, topics that deeply interested her.
However, political reality has led her to revisit the theme of the "red man," following the invasion of Ukraine and the exodus of millions of people. Alexievich is now immersed in a new book collecting the testimonies of exiled Belarusians and Ukrainians, a project she hopes to complete next year.
“"Events in the world happen fast, but finding meaning in them cannot be done quickly. You have to live them for a while. I think it might be ready next year."
Regarding the political situation in Russia and Belarus, Alexievich expressed her concern about the drift towards a modern form of fascism and noted that popular resistance, despite being massive in the Belarusian case, has not been enough to overthrow the regimes. She highlighted that, unlike other eras, Russian soldiers now receive significant financial compensation, which influences their participation in the conflict.
Finally, she reiterated her decision to stay out of politics, dedicating herself exclusively to literature. Despite the difficulties of exile, Alexievich continues her work, seeking to give voice to those who suffer and offer a deeper understanding of an increasingly bewildering world.
