
Olaf Kühl © Alexandra Kononchenko
Olaf Kühl [Germany]
Born in 1955 in Sande, Lower Sawony, Olaf Kühl is a German writer, translator, and cultural mediator celebrated for his work bridging Polish and German literary traditions. He earned a degree in Slavic Studies and East European History before founding the Ost-West-Büro (OWB) for Eastern European consultation and translation in Berlin. He earned his doctorate in 1995 and worked as an interpreter and translator for the governing mayor of Berlin.
His most recent non-fiction book, Z: Kurze Geschichte Russlands, von seinem Ende her gesehen (Rowohlt, tl: Z: A brief history of Russia, seen from its end) was published in 2023. Within the book, he shows how Russia has developed since the collapse of the Soviet Union – how brighter, freer minds were gradually replaced by functionaries loyal to the regime before a mafia-like secret service elite seized power. All of this becomes tangible in the fates of the people Kühl tells us about, including a successful entrepreneur who was tortured and killed in prison because he refused to be blackmailed by the secret service
Kühl is renowned for his translations of Polish literary giants, including Witold Gombrowicz, Dorota Maslowska, and Szczepan Twardoch. His translation of Twardoch’s The King of Warsaw earned critical acclaim, exemplifying his skill in capturing the nuance and rhythm of Polish prose. In addition to his literary endeavors, Kühl has served as an advisor on Central and Eastern European affairs for the Berlin Senate, lending his expertise to foster cultural and political understanding.
His earlier works, such as Tote Tiere (2011, tl: Dead Animals), reflect his penchant for blending psychological depth with intricate storytelling. A key figure in contemporary German literature, Kühl continues to explore the intersections of history, identity, and language, solidifying his reputation as a literary and cultural bridge between Germany and Poland.