The Interlocutor’s foreword

In my life conversations have gradually become an enjoyable treat. This book is an attempt to share this pleasure with an English reading audience.

With this work, I did not strive to parse contemporary affairs, glorify anyone, or emphasize any sort of homogeneity. All my conversation partners have created something original in life, and continue to do so, expanding the boundaries of both their crafts and the human mind.

All of the interviews included here were taken live in the years between 2019 and 2022. Some of them have previously been published in various places in their Lithuanian translation. The texts here were transcribed from the original audio recordings. Four conversations were translated from the Russian originals. In places, our words were edited for clarity and brevity.

Wishing everyone the daily experience of meaningful conversation, I hope that these exchanges encourage a desire to explore something new.

Ignas Staškevičius