Annasteasia Edel
It has been a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Russia.In the past 365 days, we woke up and saw news about the Russian missile attack, explosion, murder, torture and rape.This is the shame and confusion of 365 days. If you want to turn around, you need to know what happened. Seeing that the Russians become "Ruscists" (Russian Sandist), "Ols" (Orcs) or "Putinoids"molecular).In the past 365 days, the "Russian -American", which had previously made a simple meaning, made people feel a little contradictory.
For people similar to me, some methods that adapt to new situations will be easier than others.My bookshelf is still full of Russian documents, but I never want to read them again.Chekhov and Nobokov cannot be blamed by Ukraine's aggression, but the aggression still stole their magic and teachings.These authors are my friends, such as the ancient rituals such as the Russian Easter night, as well as the trick of the fate of the Soviet classic film in the New Year.I feel like I feel lost, but maybe it's better.It helps me focus on the present.
Other changes require me to make more reflection.Every Russian in the West felt that he was a messenger of a great culture and great country in the past.Despite serious mistakes such as Bolsheviicism and Gullargian camps, Russia still managed to correct its mistakes, and re -joined the civilized society at the end of the 20th century to show other people's "special" virtues.
Collectivism is higher than individualism, socialism is higher than capitalism, spirit is higher than material, and the mind is higher than the mind. These concepts of Russia are in priority positions.I started to believe in the hidden goodwill in Russia, although I quickly left the country as soon as I had conditions in the 1990s.
Now, I know why.Russia is special, but it is mainly because it has unique abilities that can destroy things that have been established for a few centuries within a few days.From the harmony of Tchaikovsky to Pushkin's verses, Russian culture has been defiled by those who have killed their ancestors with atrocities.Russia has been pushed to the barbaric custom of Muscovy, Muscovy, as if it had never happened in the 19th century.
As a person influenced by Russia and Soviet literature, I feel that I have been forced to be a criminal of Russian crimes.This is why since February last year, I gave up my disguise as a cultural messenger.I am not a messenger, but another immigrant who came to the United States to seek a better life.In some ways, this is a kind of liberation.I now know that a person's pursuit of meaning does not have to (sometimes it cannot be) limited to any cultural tradition.
Nevertheless, it is not easy to question your past.When looking at the family album, we once regarded our grandfather as a hero. They survived in the "Great Terror", won the war, and established a great country.Their life is full of legendary colors, and it is the perfect story of sacrifice and perseverance in the 20th century.They (also including Ukraine) suffering are to allow future generations to live in peace.
However, these sacrifices are in vain.Now, we must consider this possibility: everything we do, just extend the life of a totalitarian monster and give it the legitimacy that it desires.What should we think of 23 million to 27 million Soviet citizens died in the 20th century anti -fascist war?Many of them are the ancestors of fascist in the 21st century.
This answer was not so straightforward a few years ago.After the Cold War, Russia seemed to be the most free country in the world, and it was also considered a country that could repent.No one is required to be responsible for the crime of the Communist regime. This fact is considered to be the intentional behavior of our collective eager to achieve national healing, rather than the new official elution of all crimes.
Nowadays, Putin's war on Ukraine is conducting, supplying and supporting Russians who have experienced reform and open Russians like me.They ruined the hope of that era and built another prison "on the ruins of autocracy."In the 1990s, the seemingly conscious ethnic choices became the desire of a few people.The concept of "national choice" now looks empty.The Russians only exist as subjects. Their society is an atomic group. Some people just try to survive, while others cheer for the crime of regime, so as to temporarily forget their pain.Those few people who bravely stand up against the system will eventually be swallowed by the system.
Today's Russians are culturally hollowed out.For those who have been living half a lifetime, it is impossible to like another set of books, movies or festival traditions.You can read Gogol and explore Ukrainian folk songs, but you cannot accept Ukraine's identity, because even attempts, you will feel immoral.All you can do is not to attract others' attention. I hope no one will ask how your accent comes.When you cheer for Ukraine, you can only do it silently.
How should we treat our memory, family legend, and in the "historical process" that Marxists often say in the past, we thought we used to be in a lofty status?Since the past cannot be canceled, for the present and future, it must be suppressed or charm.Everything now depends on the results of the war.If Ukraine wins and the Putin regime falls, Russia may still regain the charm like Germany one day.
This will be a mission that everyone must be promoted when the timing matures when the timing matures.However, even if Ukraine achieved the hope of victory, we could not return to Russia's past as a unique civilization.The real or imagined Russia ended on February 24, 2022.Let's toast for the past.
Author Anastasia Edel is the playground of Putin:
The Empire, Revolution, and Putin's Playground: Empire, Revolution, and the New Tsar)
English Original: A Farewell to Russia
All rights reserved: Project syndicate, 2023.
Russia is special, but it is mainly because it has a unique ability that can be destroyed for a few centuries to build things within a few days.From the harmony of Tchaikovsky to Pushkin's verses, Russian culture has been defiled by those who have killed their ancestors with atrocities.
