Giuliano da Empoli has written one of the most talked-about (and best-selling) novels of the last twelve months.

Written shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Wizard of the Kremlin explores Vladimir Putin’s rise to power and the inner workings of his government through the account of one of his advisors – the “Wizard” of the title, inspired by a real-life character.

An implacable radiography of the Russian system, the novel, winner of the Grand Prix de l’Académie Française and finalist for the Prix Goncourt, has become an alternative guide to trying to understand what Vladimir Putin thinks and how his vision of the world determines his decisions.

The event is moderated by Bruno Giussani, Swiss journalist and international curator of TED conferences.

This event is organized by EPFL, in academic partnership with UNIL and in collaboration with Librairie Payot, Ville de Lausanne and Association Futurs.

Giuliano da Empoli is an essayist and political consultant. Italian and Swiss, he teaches at Sciences Po Paris and heads the Think Tank Volta in Milan.
The Wizard of the Kremlin is his first novel. He has previously published numerous essays, including the Engineers of Chaos, devoted to the new masters of political propaganda.

6:00pm
Doors open

6:15pm
Welcoming words by Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL, and Frédéric Herman, Rector of UNIL

6:30pm
Interview of Giuliano da Empoli by Bruno Giussani, international curator of TED conferences

7:15pm
Q&A

7:45pm
Cocktail