Lenar Shayeh (Lenar Shaekhov), as an award winning Tatar poet, children's writer, translator, publicist. He was born on 4 October 1982 in the village of Taktalachuk of the Aktanyshsky District of the Republic of Tatarstan (Russia).
His latest book, "One Song Will Be Enough" draws heavily on his upbringing and the traditions and struggles of the Tatar people created through simple but descriptive short stories. The tales take the reader back in time, to a seemingly abandoned village, a student hostel and even a bus journey home. His poetic prose weaves images, feelings and heartache, that makes the characters come alive in your imagination.
The book is in two parts and if the stories take you back in time, a series of interviews with prominent contemporary Tatars bring the narrative right up to date. The interviews are both interesting and illuminating. Lenar has a questioning style that enables the person being interviewed to open up and in some cases reveal interesting facts and thoughts. The Tatar diaspora is widely spread and is still influential in many places across the world - we learn how this is happening today. We also learn about the history and migration of the race and we learn about the diplomacy of Tatars too. The interviews compliment the stories and vise versa, drawing the reader in and wanting you to learn more about the individuals mentioned and the Tatar community as a whole.
- Gareth Stamp
Chairman Eurasian Creative Guild
