POLINA LAKHTINA: “DON’T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS ON YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS, SIMPLY AVOID THEM!”

OCA Magazine: Please tell us the most important things about yourself and your creative work. What is your creative, life credo and motivation for your creativity?

Polina Lakhtina: I’ve always been an all-rounder. As a teenager I was interested in foreign languages, so I became a linguist. I studied in London and graduated from Elite College. But on the other hand, I was attracted to art. Firstly, I started painting, and then I became a poet and received a literary education. Now I read lectures on General English, write poetry and create paintings. I like combining different kinds of art. I like the words by Leonardo da Vinci “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”

OCA: How did you choose your path and who is your role model in the creative field or in life?

PL: In my life there have been many unusual meetings with very interesting personalities. I admire creative and aspiring people who are not afraid of difficulties and follow their development to the end. As Nickolas Roerich once said “Blessed be the obstacles, through them we grow”! I try to set new goals and achieve them despite all the difficulties. And I often read biographies of people who overcame themselves and fulfilled their dreams in life.

OCA: What is your main achievement(s) or positive impact on the world in 2024–2025?

PL: Over the past two years I have achieved a great deal! In July 2024, I was awarded the title ‘Honoured Art Worker of Russia’. At the beginning of 2025, I was awarded the public titles ‘Honoured Citizen of Russia’ and ‘Honoured Teacher of Russia’.

OCA: What is the main feature that makes you and your art/work unique?

PL: I live in the world of a bi-lingual poetry, I write both in English and in Russian. To tell the truth, quite often I think both in Russian and in English. Apart from this, like William Blake, I try not to be afraid and evolve in several different areas at once. For example, in poetry and visual arts. I believe that in this way my various kinds of creativity complement each other. This way I can express myself more fully.

OCA: Please tell us about the events or projects of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London) and projects you have already participated in and how does ECG influence your creativity and success in your work?

PL: I became a part of the Poetry Almanacs “Voices of Friends” and this has given me a chance for my poetry in English to be published outside Russia! In addition, I participated in two art catalogues ‘The Great Steppe Treasury”, in which my paintings were presented. As far as I know, copies of these catalogues are stored in two art galleries in London.

OCA: How do you think the creative professions have changed and how has the role of art in the development of the world changed in the face of modern realities?

PL: So much in art today has become digital. More and more often we use the help of artificial intelligence to create works of art, such as writing music for poems and composing songs. This is exciting, but also frightening at the same time, for it is unclear how far we can go in this matter. I personally have songs written by AI using my poems.

OCA: What would you wish for the members of the Guild and other creative people who are just starting their careers?

PL: Believe in yourself! Always search for different opportunities for self-realization and move forward despite all the difficulties! Don’t listen to naysayers on your way to success, simply avoid them!