He is a laureate of the Gorky Literary Prize (2009) for historical journalism.
In September 2024, the site's creator, known by the pseudonym Stiver , announced he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Following his death in October 2024 via assisted suicide in Germany, the site's servers were reportedly prepaid to ensure it remains operational. He is a laureate of the Gorky Literary
Бердников, Лев Иосифович - Википедия the site's creator
He has authored numerous monographs and books, including "Всешутейший собор" (The All-Jesting Council) and various studies on the lives of prominent historical figures in Russia. Flibusta known by the pseudonym Stiver
Founded in 2009, it has faced long-standing legal challenges regarding copyright, leading to its permanent blocking in Russia by Roskomnadzor in 2016.
