Vladimir Bukovsky 1942 – 2019

Biography

Vladimir Bukovsky was born on December 30, 1942, in Belebey, a small town in Soviet Russia. From his youth, he demonstrated the courage and conviction that would define his life’s work. During the turbulent 1960s and 1970s, Bukovsky emerged as a prominent voice in the Soviet dissident movement, risking his personal safety to speak out against state oppression and advocate for human rights and freedom of conscience.

The price of his dissent was severe. Over the course of his lifetime, Bukovsky endured twelve years of imprisonment across the Soviet Union’s brutal system of psychiatric hospitals, labor camps, and prisons. These years of confinement tested his resolve, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to challenging authoritarian rule and exposing the injustices he witnessed.

Bukovsky’s legacy as a courageous dissident extended beyond his imprisonment. After leaving the Soviet Union, he continued his advocacy work, ensuring that the world remained aware of the struggles faced by those who dared to resist totalitarianism. He passed away on October 27, 2019, at Addenbrooke’s Hospital following cardiac arrest. He was laid to rest at Highgate Cemetery in London, a final resting place befitting a man who spent his life fighting for freedom and human dignity.