Famous author Eduard Uspensky died, RIA Novosti reports. 80 years old writer passed away on the night of August 15. The creator of Crocodile Gena, Cheburashka, Uncle Fedor and many other characters was seriously ill over the past few years.
Eduard Uspensky was born in the Moscow region town of Yegoryevsk on December 22, 1937. He started writing early at school years, his poems and stories were even printed in newspapers. Nevertheless, he decided to become an engineer and went to study at Moscow Aviation Institute. However the creativity of the future writer showed itself: he played in KVN (a Russian humour TV show "Club of the Funny and Inventive People") and staged performances in the student theater. Uspensky worked as an engineer for two years after graduation.
He turned to the literature at the age of 29. His first story was about an unknown animal with large ears, which was found in a box with oranges. A few years later millions and millions of the Soviet Union citizens knew Cheburashka. The release of the cartoon was the reason for it. Nation-wide affection was permanent. It was Cheburashka who became the talisman of the Russian team at the Sochi Olympics. Japan created its own cartoon series about Cheburashka.
Another Uspensky's iconic work was a series of books about the Vacations in Prostokvashino.
He also became the script-writer for the Plasticine Crow animation. He created and hosted very popular children radio and TV programs.
His books were translated into 20 languages, he wrote scripts for 60 cartoons.
Italian entrepreneur Marco Maggi's book, "Russian to the Bone," is now accessible for purchase in Italy and is scheduled for release in Russia in the upcoming months. In the book, Marco recounts his personal odyssey, narrating each stage of his life as a foreigner in Russia—starting from the initial fascination to the process of cultural assimilation, venturing into business, fostering authentic friendships, and ultimately, reaching a deep sense of identifying as a Russian at his very core.
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