The HIV Text in the Russophone Contemporary Culture
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2025-08-27
Author(s)
Abstract
Contemporary Russian literature increasingly explores the human experience of illness through pathographies—narratives that delve deeply into the personal and societal dimensions of disease. Among the illnesses portrayed, HIV/AIDS occupies a significant space, with authors addressing not only the progression of the disease but also the stigma, discrimination, and isolation faced by those affected. These narratives confront repressed and taboo topics, bringing visibility to individual and collective experiences of living with HIV/AIDS. By doing so, they integrate these often-marginalized stories into public discourse and challenge the silence surrounding them. Additionally, these works critique healthcare systems and the limited social support available to patients, highlighting broader structural and societal issues.
Despite the growing prominence of such narratives, the representation of HIV/AIDS in contemporary Russian literature remains underexplored in Slavic literary studies and medical humanities—a field dedicated to examining the intersection of literature, culture, and health. This paper aims to analyze the representation of HIV/AIDS and its associated stigmatization in Russian literature, focusing on its societal implications and cultural significance.
To achieve this, the study examines two fundamental questions: (1) How is disease-related stigma, specifically HIV/AIDS-related stigma, portrayed in contemporary Russian literature? (2) What role does Russian literature play in shaping societal perceptions of HIV/AIDS? The analysis draws on qualitative methods grounded in critical literary and cultural studies, as well as insights from medical humanities and philosophy, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the narrative strategies employed by authors.
Ultimately, the paper argues that these literary representations play a crucial role in challenging stigma, fostering empathy, and reshaping public attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, thus contributing to broader conversations about health, illness, and social responsibility.
Despite the growing prominence of such narratives, the representation of HIV/AIDS in contemporary Russian literature remains underexplored in Slavic literary studies and medical humanities—a field dedicated to examining the intersection of literature, culture, and health. This paper aims to analyze the representation of HIV/AIDS and its associated stigmatization in Russian literature, focusing on its societal implications and cultural significance.
To achieve this, the study examines two fundamental questions: (1) How is disease-related stigma, specifically HIV/AIDS-related stigma, portrayed in contemporary Russian literature? (2) What role does Russian literature play in shaping societal perceptions of HIV/AIDS? The analysis draws on qualitative methods grounded in critical literary and cultural studies, as well as insights from medical humanities and philosophy, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the narrative strategies employed by authors.
Ultimately, the paper argues that these literary representations play a crucial role in challenging stigma, fostering empathy, and reshaping public attitudes toward HIV/AIDS, thus contributing to broader conversations about health, illness, and social responsibility.
Language
English (United States)
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Event Title
European Association for the History of Medicine and Health Conference 2025: Health Beyond Medicine
Event Location
Humboldt University Berlin
Event Date
26-29 August 2025
Subject(s)