Understanding Russian mentality through the prism of language, literature, and cultural memory

Agnieszka Lubomira Piotrowska

Translator of Russian literature, expert in Russian culture, contemporary Polish theater and copyright of Polish artists

Literary translation requires more than just language skills – it demands a deep understanding of cultural context. While working on the translation of a novel from Russian, I realized how easily one can miss subtle references: a line from a lullaby, a phrase from school literature, or a sentence with hidden irony. That’s why I turned to Dr. Irina Kisielowa. She helped me read between the lines, pointing out meanings and nuances I would have otherwise overlooked. Thanks to her insights, the translation stayed true to the author’s intent while becoming more accessible to the target reader.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Irina as an exceptional literary translation expert.

Paul Krisai

Austrian journalist, ORF correspondent in Moscow 2019-2023

As a journalist covering Russia, Belarus, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia, Russian language skills have always been key for me. Irina not only prepared me for my work on a linguistic level – her hands-on approach was particularly helpful as it emphasized on speech and pronunciation – she also helped me better understand the people, culture and politics of this world region.

Highly recommended!

Anastasia Trofimova

Documentary director and cinematographer

Despite being a native Russian speaker, I, nevertheless, came across many challenges when writing narration for my feature documentary, "Russians at War" (TVO/ARTE). I needed a consultant who not only possessed a flawless mastery of the Russian language, but could advise me on how best to bring across the subtlest emotional and political nuances in describing a very complicated and delicate topic. Dr. Kisielowa was out of this world. Her guidance with finding the right tone, her knowledge of regional dialects, Russian-Ukrainian relations and intimate socio-economic language markers were exactly what I needed and more.

I would highly recommend Dr. Kisielowa and will definitely be using her services again in the future.

Aleksander Makal

Associate at Weisenheimer Legal

When I began working with Irina, I could speak and understand Russian, but my grammar was inconsistent and my vocabulary limited. Irina’s structured lessons and diverse materials helped me strengthen my grammar, expand my vocabulary, and explore new areas of language and culture. Her supportive approach boosted my confidence, allowing me to use Russian both socially and professionally as a lawyer, building trust with clients.

Thanks to her deep knowledge of Russian literature and culture, I also discovered a passion for modern Russian poetry and visual arts – an unexpected and enriching journey.

Katja Ternar

Global category and business development manager (Agrana Fruit)

Mastering a language goes far beyond vocabulary – it’s about culture, expression, and confidence. After my exchange in Russia, my Russian skills plateaued – until I began classes with Irina.

She’s not just a teacher, but a passionate guide through literature, history, and professional communication. With her personalized approach and constant encouragement, we tackled advanced grammar, built professional writing skills, and practiced real-life scenarios.

Irina’s support helped me break through the stagnation and grow confident in using Russian in both casual and business contexts.

Her guidance truly transformed my language journey.