08.02.2026 What is the power of light – in physics and in life? What can help us notice the inner light in ourselves and in others? Writer Evgeny Vodolazkin and biophysicist, VYZOV Prize laureate Valery Tuchin are the main characters of the new episode of the Vyzov Sophiko project, which was filmed at the Turgenev Library and Reading Room.
Evgeny Vodolazkin noted that a person is not only a thinking being but also a feeling one, and that writers are often inspired by science:
“I often carry on the dialogue between science and art even within myself, because I am both a literary scholar and a writer. I found it very interesting to listen to the talk about light, because light is a symbol of good in any culture, while darkness is its opposite.”
Valery Tuchin expressed his hope that the conversation was not in vain and that the topic of their discussion would become a source of inspiration for many:
“Scientists back in ancient times began treating certain diseases with light, using the same methods we use today. They just did it intuitively. I was very pleased to see that during our talk, the people in the audience were very much interested in the impact of light on living organisms.”
According to Sophiko Shevardnadze, the author and host of the project, the programme featured many simple yet important truths about good and light:
“We spent quite some time deciding on the theme for this episode and realized that light in its broadest sense is the best option. Valery Tuchin studies light from a scientific standpoint, while practically every work by Evgeny Vodolazkin contains the theme of inner light within a person.”
Watch the episode in the START online cinema.
