On June 6 Russia is marking 208 years since the birth of one of the greatest Russian poets, Alexander Pushkin. His life proved to be short but prolific, and his literary legacy gained him the title of “the sun of Russian poetry”.

Pushkin laid the foundation of modern Russian literature. And one of his best-known works, the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin”, is considered to be an “encyclopaedia of Russian life” of the 19th century.

Every Russian is familiar with the name, growing up with his tales and studying his creations at school, where almost every book of literature has his portrait on its cover.

Pushkin’s works have turned to be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for literary scholars, as well as contemporary writers and poets.

His life was that of a poet – filled with joys of fame and sorrows of exile, with love and jealousy. His death also became a legend. He died at the age of 37 following a deadly wound at the duel with the alleged lover of his wife, Georges d'Anthès.

“The sun of Russian poetry” went out but never ceased to lighten the world around it.