Vladimir Vysotsky (1938–1980) was a singer, songwriter, actor, and poet — a giant in Russian popular music and popular culture alike. Vysotsky was an icon of the 1960s and continues to unite the Russian-speaking diaspora. In commemoration of what would have been Vysotsky’s 80th birthday, the UC San Diego Library is hosting an ongoing winter quarter exhibit on Vysotsky’s life and legacy. Included in the exhibit is a commemorative medal presented to UC San Diego by Yuri Kaida of Riga, Latvia, in appreciation of the university’s ongoing relationship with the Russian-speaking diaspora community. Dmitry Bykov, Moscow-based scholar, novelist, and poet will discuss Vysotsky’s life, work, and legacy during a lecture on Thursday, January 24. The lecture and exhibit are jointly sponsored by the UC San Diego Library; the UC San Diego Institute of Arts and Humanities; Jewish Studies; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Program; and the San Diego-based European Staff Association. Dmitry Bykov is a celebrated Russian writer, poet, and journalist. He is a well-loved host of television and radio programs in Russia, and is the co-creator, with Mikhail Yefremov, of the popular Citizen Poet project, which presents contemporary Russian topics in the form of classic poetry. He lectures widely in Russia and abroad. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.