Following the announcement, the Flibusta community and volunteers reportedly mobilized to ensure the library's survival. Subsequent updates indicated that the servers had been paid for and the site would continue to operate for the time being under the management of other community members. Historical Context: Alexander Samokhvalov (Artist)
It is important to distinguish the Flibusta creator from the famous Soviet artist (1894–1971). The artist was a key figure in the Leningrad school of painting , best known for works like "Girl in a T-shirt" and his depictions of Soviet labor and sport. The artist was a key figure in the
Flibusta was established in 2009 as a non-commercial digital library providing free access to a vast collection of books, primarily in Russian. It was often at the center of copyright disputes but remained popular due to its extensive catalog. In September 2024, the administrator "Stiver" published a
In September 2024, the administrator "Stiver" published a message on the site titled revealing the following: Current Status and Recent Developments
He was hospitalized with a large glioblastoma (brain tumor).
Known by the online alias "Stiver," identified in various reports as Alexander Alexandrovich Samokhvalov.
The site faced numerous blocks and legal challenges from publishing houses and regulatory bodies (such as Roskomnadzor in Russia). Current Status and Recent Developments