The poet Bakhyt Kenzheev died at 74, as confirmed by colleagues close to him. His passing was reported by RTVI, citing a friend and fellow poet who spoke about the loss and remembered his colleague’s life and work. The cause of death was not disclosed in those remarks.
Bakhyt Kenzheev was born in 1950 in Shymkent, in what is now Kazakhstan. He moved with his family to Moscow during early childhood and grew up amid the city’s vibrant literary milieu. His first published poems appeared in 1977, featured in a volume titled Lenin Mountains: Poems of Moscow State University Poets, a collection that helped introduce a generation of writers connected to Moscow State University to a wider audience.
During his youth, Kenzheev participated in a literary workshop directed by Igor Volgin. There he formed productive collaborations with contemporaries such as Tsvetkov and Soprovsky, and with Sergei Gandlevsky, who later recalled their shared time that culminated in the notable anthology Moscow Time. This early circle contributed to a distinctive voice that blended cosmopolitan sensibilities with roots in Eurasian culture, a tension that ran through much of Kenzheev’s later work.
In 1982, Kenzheev relocated first to Canada, where he began publishing his poetry in earnest, releasing his inaugural collection a couple of years later. His mobility continued, and in 2008 he moved to the United States. He described himself as a citizen of the Russian Empire temporarily living abroad, maintaining a deep connection to Russia through frequent travels and visits. His mobility enriched his writing, allowing him to weave global perspectives into the texture of his verse, while still drawing on memories of his homeland and its language.
Over the course of his career, Kenzheev produced more than twenty books. He gained recognition through multiple nominations and awards, including two nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature and wins such as the Russia Prize and the Anti-Booker. He also received recognition at Moscow-Transit, highlighting his enduring contribution to modern poetry. His works have been translated into multiple languages, including Kazakh, English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Ukrainian, Chinese, and Swedish, broadening the reach of his voice beyond Russian-speaking readers and inviting a wider audience to engage with his imagery and themes.
In addition to his writing, Kenzheev was actively involved in literary communities. He served as a member of the Russian PEN Club and participated as a juror in various literary competitions, including the prestigious International Turkish poetry translation event Ak Torna. These roles reflected his commitment to fostering dialogue among poets across borders and cultures, while supporting translations that made distant voices more accessible. His involvement underscored a belief in literature as a bridge between peoples, a principle that characterized much of his public engagement.
Earlier in Moscow, the arts scene also saw the passing of another notable performer, Yuri Markelov, a former soloist with the Bolshoi Theatre opera troupe. The overlapping losses within the Russian-speaking artistic community prompted reflections on the currents that shape contemporary performance and poetry alike, reminding readers of the interconnectedness of poets, actors, and musicians who contributed to a shared cultural landscape. The passing of these distinguished artists was acknowledged by peers who emphasized the enduring vitality of their legacies and the continued inspiration they provide to new generations of creators. [Source: RTVI; Corroborating statements from colleagues]