Nika Turbina

She was awarded the Golden Lion for her poems in 1985. She wrote several poetry collections during her short career.

• Name — Nika Turbina • Birth Name — Nika Georgievna Turbina • Born — 17 December 1974 • Birthplace — Yalta, Crimea Oblast, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union • Died — 11 May 2002 • Place of death — Moscow, Russia • Resting Place — Vagankovo Cemetery, Moscow, Russia • Occupation — Poet, writer • Notable Works — First Draft (1984) • Years Active — 1984-2002 • Awards — Golden Lion for Venice Biennale (1985)

She started writing poetry at the age of 6 and published her first book in 1984, at the age of 10. A recording of her recitations sold over 30,000 copies in the then Soviet Union. Turbina wrote her first complete poem aged four. Two years later, she was discovered by writer Yulian Semyonov who spent part of the year in her hometown of Yalta. Turbina's talent set her apart from her classmates in school, where she was learning ahead of her grade. She studied the piano and her favorite subject was mathematics, which she saw as akin to verses. At the age of 10, Turbina published her first book, First Draft, with an introduction by Yevgeny Yevtushenko in 1984. Translations of her First Draft have been published in France, Italy and Britain.

After years of alcohol abuse she died on 11 May 2002 in Moscow, Russia at the age of 27 after she fell from her 5th-floor window. Turbina was buried at Vagankovo Cemetery in Moscow.

Nika Turbina is recorded as poet and writer.