Dr. Ilya Kaminsky

Biography

Ilya Kaminsky is a professor and the director of Princeton’s Creative Writing Program. His scholarly focus lies in poetry, poetics, and literary translation. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, in 1977, he moved to the United States in 1993, after his family was granted asylum by the American government. Kaminsky is the author of "Deaf Republic" and "Dancing Odessa," and he has also co-edited and co-translated several books, including the "Ecco Anthology of International Poetry" and "Hour of War: Poems from Ukraine." His work, particularly "Deaf Republic," published in 2019 by Graywolf Press, has been acknowledged as a Notable Book of the year and featured in numerous publications such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Vanity Fair. His writings have been adapted for stage in theaters around the world, including the Royal Court Theater in London. Kaminsky has received numerous accolades including the Los Angeles Book Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and the National Jewish Book Award. Additionally, he has been honored with fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, American Academy of Arts and Letters, and Poetry Magazine. His contributions have also been recognized with nominations for prestigious awards like the National Book Award and the T.S. Eliot Prize.

Research Interests