Update: Thank you to everyone who has already supported the new chapter of the Pushkin House Bookshop! We are thrilled to share that, thanks to your generosity, we have raised £11,688.60, and an anonymous donor has kindly offered £12,500 in matched funding. This means we are now just £811.4 away from reaching our £25,000 goal!

New Chapter for Pushkin House Bookshop

Literature has been at the heart of Pushkin House for many decades. We are now entering a new chapter with the launch of the UK’s First Bilingual Russian-English Bookshop in our Bloomsbury home and you can Help Us Build it. Unlike organisations reliant on government funding, Pushkin House has, for over 70 years, thrived solely thanks to the generosity of its supporters. As an organisation, we have been constantly evolving and responding to the times we live in, particularly in light of the recent years.

This autonomy allows us to develop multidisciplinary programmes that foster critical dialogue, artistic expression, and scholarly research on complex cultural and geopolitical issues, with a focus on the exploration of Russian culture, history, and identity. Today, in a world marked by rupture and displacement, our mission is more vital than ever: to create space for dialogue, critical thinking, and cultural connection.

We are now taking the next bold step and we need your support.

What are we doing to get there?

We are raising £25,000 to expand the UK’s first curated Russian-English bookshop: a revamped ground-floor, fully accessible space that will double our book stock, host literary events, and serve as a cultural hub for readers, writers, and the growing Russian-speaking diaspora, as well as those interested in Russian, Eastern European, and post-Soviet geo-cultural spaces. This will become more than a shop, it will be a dynamic, living archive of voices across borders, a sanctuary for stories, and a meeting point for shared understanding.

Renovating the space and removing the partition wall that currently divides it will transform the architectural interior of Pushkin House, creating a physically welcoming and inclusive environment that seamlessly merges the existing Russian and English bookshops. This open, cohesive layout will not only enhance the visitor experience but also allow for a more fluid programme of events, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Modernising the house in this way is essential to ensure it remains fully functional, while carefully preserving the character and integrity of our Grade II listed building. By creating a space that is both contemporary and respectful of its heritage, we will strengthen Pushkin House’s role as a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury, inviting new audiences to explore, learn, and engage.

Why now?

Pushkin House is an established hub with a rich programme of literary events and is a home to Pushkin House Book Prize, an annual award that recognizes the best non-fiction books about Russia published in English. In 2024, we hosted our annual Christmas Book Fair and included books in both English and Russian for the first time. We now think of it as a test run for our first bilingual book platform. The response was overwhelming: over 1,200 visitors, and a clear message, this is not just a want, it’s a need. Through partnerships with independent publishers and exiled authors, we are bringing ground-breaking, uncensored literature to London, books that resist silence, challenge erasure, and connect people in times of fracture. With your help, we will build a space where those stories can live and thrive.

By supporting this campaign, you’re not only helping us build a vital cultural space, you’ll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, events, and opportunities to engage more deeply with our work.

Join us and help us write the next chapter together!

Support Tiers:

We believe in the power of shared stories and diverse perspectives. Every contribution counts and brings us closer to a future where these voices can thrive.

If you would like to be enrolled and receive the benefits of the campaign, please ensure your donation is public. If you prefer to remain anonymous but still wish to receive the benefits, please email your donation receipt to development@pushkinhouse.org.uk. We will then provide you with further information, discount codes, and an outline of the Literary Salon programmes.

£10 – The Spark

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

£25 – The Bookmark

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to recordings of the Literary Salons

£50 – The Bibliophile

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to recordings of the Literary Salons

10% discount in the Pushkin House bookshop for one year

£100 – The Salon Member

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to both in-person Literary Salons and their recordings (limited to 75 people)

10% discount in the Pushkin House bookshop for one year

£250 – The Personal Note

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to both in-person Literary Salons and their recordings (limited to 75 people)

10% discount in the Pushkin House bookshop for one year

A book with a handwritten, personalised note from Ekaterina Schulmann, on the occasion of your choice

Acknowledgement as a Supporter of the Pushkin House Bilingual Bookshop

£500 – The Serious Reader

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to both in-person Literary Salons and their recordings (limited to 75 people)

10% discount in the Pushkin House bookshop for one year

A book with a handwritten, personalised note from Ekaterina Schulmann, on the occasion of your choice

Acknowledgement as a Supporter of the Pushkin House Bilingual Bookshop

Invitation to the Pushkin House Book Prize

£1,500 – The Shelf Owner

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to both in-person Literary Salons and their recordings (limited to 75 people)

10% discount in the Pushkin House bookshop for one year

A book with a handwritten, personalised note from Ekaterina Schulmann, on the occasion of your choice

Acknowledgement as a Supporter of the Pushkin House Bilingual Bookshop

Invitation to the Pushkin House Book Prize

‘Adopt a Shelf’ sponsorship with a personalised bookplate on the chosen shelf

£2,500 – The Patron of Letters

Entry into a raffle to win a selection of signed books

Access to both in-person Literary Salons and their recordings (limited to 75 people)

10% discount in the Pushkin House bookshop for one year

A book with a handwritten, personalised note from Ekaterina Schulmann, on the occasion of your choice

Acknowledgement as a Supporter of the Pushkin House Bilingual Bookshop

Invitation to the Pushkin House Book Prize

‘Adopt a Shelf’ sponsorship with a personalised bookplate on the chosen shelf

Enrollment into the Patrons Programme for one year

FAQ:

What is Pushkin House, and how is it funded?

Pushkin House, Charity Number 313111, established in 1954, is the UK’s oldest independent Russian cultural centre, now based in Bloomsbury, London. We are proud to operate as an independent organisation, thanks to the vital support of our patrons, friends, visitors, donors, and granting institutions. Unlike organisations that rely on government funding, Pushkin House has, for over 70 years, thrived solely due to the generosity of its supporters, donors, and granting institutions.

What will you do with the funds if the full amount required for the bookshop expansion is not raised?

In the event that we do not raise the full amount needed, or if surplus funds are raised, for the expansion of our bookshop, all funds received will be redirected to support our Book Talks programming and other related initiatives. This will ensure that the money continues to benefit our community, supporting literary events, educational activities, and projects that foster engagement with literature and ideas.