Vahur Afanasjev

Vahur Afanasjev (born: August 24, 1979 in Taru, Estonia) is an Estonian writer, filmmaker and musician.

Afanasjev graduated from Tartu University in 2002, studying Economic policy. He has been a member of a literary group "Noorte Autorite Koondis" (NAK) (English: Young Authors' League) since 1998, and a member of the Estonian Writers' Union since 2006. He has worked as journalist, copywriter and creative director.

Since 2005 Afanasjev has lived in Brussels, Belgium. On the internet he writes his name as Vahur [€] Afanasjev.

Writings

Afanasjev began his writing career with poems and lyrics in 1995. In 1997-98 he published three poetry collections on the internet. His first poems were published in the Estonian literary magasine "Vikerkaar" in 1998. He has published three poetry books, one book of short stories and three novels.

Poetry:
* "Kandiline maailm" ("Square World") 2000
* "Kaantega viin" ("Wrapped Vodka" or "Folded Vienna" or "I Take with Covers") 2004
* "Katedraal Emajões" ("Cathedral in Mother River") 2006

Novels:
* "Kastraat Ontariost" ("A Castrato from Ontario") 2005
* "Kaadrid otsustavad" ("Shots Decide") 2007
* "Kosmos" ("Cosmos") 2008
*"Kanepi kirik" ("Ganja Church" or "The Church of Kanepi Village") 2002 (a book of short stories)

His style is described as magic realism flavoured with perversities and obscurities. His characters include parasite worms, murderers, corrupted journalists, robots and lonely gay men.

Music

Afanasjev also makes electronic music (project tra_art), punkish eclectic guitar rock, blues and country (project Kurluk Ulica) and experimental noisepop (project Kannibal Elektor). A CD of tra_art was published with Vahur Afanasjev's book "Kanepi kirik" (2002).

He has also written lyrics for Orelipoiss, Skriimsilm and Päris Anny.

Film

Afanasjev has made experimental short films since 2006, and has used photos and Microsoft Powerpoint in film production. In June 2008 presented his autobiographical documentary film "Where Dreams End" and was threatened with a court case concerning that.

Trivia

Afanasjev survived a caiman bite in 2006 in while visiting the Amazon jungle.

External links

* Vahur Afanasjev's [http://afanasjev.blogspot.com blog ] .
* Vahur Afanasjev's [http://www.youtube.com/stepirohi Irboska Film production] in Youtube.