April 1, 2005 for immediate release

A famed Russian writer has added Prince George to a series of speaking engagements he will be making inApril – a tour that will also include stops in Seattle, New York,and Washington.

Yuri Rytkheu (pron. Rit-koo) was born in 1930 in a smallfishing village on the coast of the Bering Sea.He is a member of the Chukchi people, a Russian indigenous group whoseancestral homeland is in Russia’sfar northeastern corner. Rytkheu’s latest book – due out in April – is a storythat captures the essence of a magnificent landscape and an ancient people. ADream in Polar Fog is about a Canadian soldier who is stranded on the Arctic Coastand rescued by a Chukchi community. The book has been described by a Germanpublication as “A delicate, highly lyrical book.”

Yuri Rytkheu’s talk will be on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30pmin the Weldwood Theatre (7-238) located beside the Bookstore. Copies of A Dream in PolarFog will be available for purchase. The presentation itself is free and open tothe public.

Rytkheu has written ten novels, sailed the Bering Sea, worked on Arctic geological expeditions, and hunted whale inArctic waters.

Contact:

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC– 250.960.5622

John Young, Political Science professor, UNBC – 250.960.6636