Honoring a Legacy: Globus Books at 55
For 55 years, Globus Books has been a treasured part of San Francisco's cultural landscape. Since opening its doors in 1971 to serve the Russian emigre community, the independent bookstore has served generations of readers, preserving the Russian language, sharing literature and history, and providing a welcoming place for people to connect with their heritage.
This August, Globus received another well-deserved honor when it was recognized as a San Francisco Legacy Business, celebrating its enduring contributions to the city's cultural and literary life*.
As the bookstore marks its 55th anniversary, Russian Center Board Member Nina Shikaloff sat down with store manager Anastasiya Mutungi to reflect on its remarkable journey, the history that has shaped its legacy, and its vision for the future.
Q: Congratulations on such an amazing achievement! As many independent bookstores struggle, to what do you attribute Globus Books' staying power?
A: We owe our longevity to a combination of dedicated professionals, a willingness to
adapt, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community. Over the years, we've expanded our reach through social media, cross-promotions, international book orders, and participation in conferences that have helped establish Globus as a recognized resource for Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian books well beyond the Bay Area.
Just as importantly, we've worked to make the bookstore more than a place to buy books. Through author talks, literary events, discussions with educators and professors, poetry readings, and children's programs, Globus has become a cultural hub where people gather to learn, connect, and celebrate their shared heritage.
For many immigrants, Globus Books is far more than a bookstore—it's a connection to home. As one recently arrived customer beautifully expressed:
"It's precious to be able to pick up a book in your mother tongue, read a few pages, take it home, and place it on your shelf. It's a home away from home."
The store provides a welcoming place where immigrants can connect with one another, readers can meet authors, and language, literature, and culture continue to flourish across generations.
Q: Take us back to 1971. What inspired the decision to open Globus Books in its current location?
A: Globus Books was founded in 1971 by Vladimir Azar, who was born in Yugoslavia and was passionate about preserving and sharing Russian language, literature, and culture. He opened the bookstore at 332 Balboa Street, in San Francisco's historic "Little Russia" neighborhood, where it quickly became a gathering place for the Russian émigré community. The bookstore offered difficult to obtain tamizdat—Russian-language books published outside the Soviet Union that were banned there, including works by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Mikhail Bulgakov.
Alongside the bookstore, Mr. Azar operated the Globus Publishing House, which published unique works by Russian émigré authors on a linotype machine which still resides at the store. Although the publishing house closed after Globus changed ownership in 1984, the published works remain an important part of the bookstore's history.
Q: What were some of the most significant milestones in the store's history?
A: After founder Vladimir Azar's unexpected passing in 1984, Veronica Ahrens-Pulawski took the helm of Globus Books after a stint in Znanie, and led the store for more than three decades. Under her ownership, Globus expanded its international reputation for rare and antiquarian Slavic books. She continued building on Azar’s relationships with universities, libraries, and collectors around the world, while continuing to make the bookstore a welcoming place for the local community.
Like many independent bookstores, Globus has weathered enormous change, from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the rise of online booksellers and e-books. Each challenge required the store to adapt while remaining true to its mission of connecting readers with Russian literature and culture. For a deeper look at the challenges Veronika faced over the years, please read her historical account, available in both English and Russian**. Today, Veronika continues to work part-time at Globus.
A new chapter began in 2018 when Pavel Chepyzhov became the owner after learning that Veronika was planning to sell the bookstore. Bringing technical innovation and deep expertise in rare books, Pavel moved Globus' catalog online and expanded its international reach. Since then, Pavel and I have grown the bookstore's social media presence and community events, continuing to ensure that Globus remains both a world-class rare Russian book dealer and a welcoming cultural hub.
Q: How has the store helped preserve language, culture, and traditions for immigrant Russian families?
A: Globus is much more than a bookstore. It's an international gathering place centered on Russian language, welcoming people from across the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe for whom Russian serves as a language of communication, while reflecting the diversity of their cultures and identities. Parents and grandparents bring their children to discover Russian-language books, often continuing a tradition that spans generations. For students of the language, it’s an opportunity to expand their knowledge base. For longtime immigrants, the bookstore helps them pass their language and heritage on to their children, while for newer arrivals, it provides a comforting connection to home.
Beyond books, Globus brings people together through author events, community gatherings, and support for local writers. We also take pride in finding hard-to-locate books, helping readers of all ages discover stories that are meaningful to them.
Q: What do you hope Globus Books will look like in another 10 or 20 years?
A: We hope Globus will continue to grow as both a community gathering place and a trusted source of rare and important Slavic books. We also hope to inspire future generations to discover the joy of reading printed books. While rising costs and a changing political landscape make it increasingly difficult to acquire and offer books at affordable prices, we believe books keep us grounded, connect us with one another, and preserve our shared humanity. We hope Globus will continue to be a place where those connections thrive.
Q: What message would you like to share with the community that has supported Globus Books for the past 55 years?
A: On behalf of everyone at Globus Books, we extend our heartfelt thanks to every customer, educator, author, and friend who has supported us over the past 55 years. Your loyalty has made this journey possible, and we are deeply grateful to be part of your lives.
We hope you'll continue to make Globus your bookstore, share it with family and friends, and help us inspire the next generation of readers. Here's to another 100 years together! We look forward to celebrating our 55th anniversary with you on Sunday, September 27 from 11am to 9pm.
* View the video of the SF Commission meeting (Anastasiya's comments begin at 10:00.)
We thank Globus for its continued support of the Russian Center
and our annual festivals.
