If we could all take a sober look at our history, then we would no longer see this nostalgic attitude to the Soviet past that predominates now among the less affected part of our society. Nor would the Eastern European countries and former USSR republics feel the need to see in historical Russia the source of their misfortunes. One should not ascribe the evil deeds of individual leaders or political regimes to an innate fault of the Russian people and their country. One should not attribute this to the "sick psychology" of the Russians, as is often done in the West. All these regimes in Russia could only survive by imposing a bloody terror. We should clearly understand that only the voluntary and conscientious acceptance by a people of its guilt can ensure the healing of a nation. Unremitting reproaches from outside, on the other hand, are counterproductive. Share
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Great Solzhenitsyn
If we could all take a sober look at our history, then we would no longer see this nostalgic attitude to the Soviet past that predominates now among the less affected part of our society. Nor would the Eastern European countries and former USSR republics feel the need to see in historical Russia the source of their misfortunes. One should not ascribe the evil deeds of individual leaders or political regimes to an innate fault of the Russian people and their country. One should not attribute this to the "sick psychology" of the Russians, as is often done in the West. All these regimes in Russia could only survive by imposing a bloody terror. We should clearly understand that only the voluntary and conscientious acceptance by a people of its guilt can ensure the healing of a nation. Unremitting reproaches from outside, on the other hand, are counterproductive. Share
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5 comments:
Have you read "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich"? I had read it for my AP English Language class senior year of high school. The story is set in a gulag. From the straight forward title, Ivan Denisovich is serving time there and it vividly describes the conditions.
That is excellent that they have students read such things in school.
My Wife, daughter and I were previledged to meet his son Ignat at a concert which he conducted. Genevieve won his autograph by mentioning how she admired his father.
In a course I teach, the elder Solzhenitsyn covers an entire lession about the power of a major purpose, and how he writes each day. He is driven with a force and energy.
de Brantigny
Very interesting, Monsieur.
I read _The Gulag Archipelago_ when I was 14. It influenced me greatly. Perhaps it was one of the reasons why I decided to become a Christian four years later.
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