Yes, the Prince of Denmark was right: there really are many things in the world that the sages never dreamed of, but writers, poets, and artists dream of them. Our experimental special issue is dedicated to what is beyond reality, in the bewitching, magical Through the Looking Glass of the mystical artistic imagination. Dear reader, You are holding in your hands an unusual issue of “Foreign Literature”; all magazine sections are subordinated to one theme - you will be immersed in the world of “black fantasy”, supernatural phenomena and ominous secrets, where sometimes the power that, as we know, “eternally wants evil and always does good” reigns. This venerable literary genre, sanctified by centuries-old tradition, dating back to folklore, medieval mystical, short story and Gothic novel, paradoxically, reached its peak precisely in our technological, thoroughly rationalistic century. On these pages you will meet many famous, sometimes unexpected names - it turns out that even the most serious writers love scary fairy tales. Perhaps the stories they tell will not frighten you very much. But still, listen to our good advice: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AT NIGHT!