Vera Martynov · Gabriela Merz · Liliia Zhernov

Two writers whose lives and work span Ukraine, Russia, Switzerland and France share their experiences of writing and publishing across borders, brought together by Swiss publisher zeitkind.

A conversation about language, literature, publishing, and finding new readers across countries.

Participants

Gabriela Merz is a Swiss publisher and founder of the Zurich-based publishing house zeitkind, established in 2024. Formerly a dramaturge, theatre director, journalist and teacher, she publishes contemporary Swiss and European literature with a focus on social and political themes.

Vera Martynov is a Ukrainian-born artist, theatre director and writer who lived and worked in Moscow before moving to France in 2022. Her book 41515 Wörter/слов, published by zeitkind in 2026, explores memory, war and exile.

Liliia Zhernov is a Ukrainian writer based in Zurich and a supported author of Weiter Schreiben Schweiz, a literary programme for writers in exile. Her debut novel, Butter Me Up! Lull mich ein!, was published by zeitkind in German and Russian in 2026.

The discussion will be held in English.