Red October - Russian Revolution 1917

Today I would like to tell you about a podcast that I listened to. I would like to point out that this is not a truly historical post like about Amelie Weiler. I have never studied Russian history in more detail so I am not an expert.

I have listened to the podcast from BBC Seriously… about the Russian Revolution in 1917. This podcast is in the form of a journey through 4 cities in Russia that were closely associated with the Revolution. Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg as a guide, shows that the repercussions of Red October are still being felt today. 

The first town was Saint Petersburg, the place where the revolution began. This event changed the course of history. The first communist state was created The twentieth century was a century of confrontation between East and West, capitalism and communism. In this part of the podcast, Steve talks about one of the first electronic instruments that was invented in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Theremin was invented soon after Lenin was captured. This instrument was a symbol of Bolshevik's new world and tragedy of Russian revolution, inventor was accused of counter-revolutionary and sent to gulag. They talk about how communism started it all and fascism was the answer to communism, it was a result of being afraid of bolshevism. Although communism was a disaster, it improved the electrification and literacy of society. There is currently no desire in Saint Petersburg to stir up a revolution despite the social problems. There are only peaceful protests. Protestants demand free and fair elections. Idea of a revolution is completely alien to the courent government. Any mention of revolution makes the government nervous that’s why they did not plan to mark the event of the centenary. Revolution which a huge experiment creating a communist state, communism collapsed, soviet union collapsed. It was failed experiment and it wasn’t a glorious chapter of Russian history so the children don’t know a lot about the Revolution. Now, Modern Russia has an other ideology. 

Then we moved to Moscow. The most significant aspects of this part of the podcast were a conversation with a distant relative of Lenin and his mausoleum, which is highly controversial. Stanislas is great great grand nephew of Lenin. During the winter, they had burn some of furniture because of cold. The firewood came secretly, this was the only time they had benefits of their connection with Lenin. But at that time, in Russia, we can say that everyone was related to Lenin. Lenin is now a fallen idol and there are more and more opponents to his body being displayed in the Mausoleum in Red Square. The people believe this symbol of the Revolution should find its proper place but not on the Red Square. Stanislas suggest compromise - buried Lenin inside of Mausoleum. Steve points out that Moscow has changed a lot since his first visit in 1991. Changes in Moscow: a few coffee shops, restaurants, the supermarkets were almost empty, now Moscow is very relaxed, isn’t looking back to ideas of Lenin.

The third stop on our journey is Yekaterinburg. The history of the Revolution associated with this city is very dramatic. It was here that Tsar Nicholas II was executed. The execution took place in a building belonging to the church. Steve says that this orthodox church is one place where heaven meets hell. Church on the Blood. July 1918 In this place Nicolas and his family and his most loyal service were executed. They were taken to the basement of the Ipatiev House and were murdered by being shot and bayoneted. The bodies were then loaded onto a lorry and taken to the forest. In 1998 - the DNA test had confirmed the authenticity of their remains. Orthodox church has elevated Nicolas and his family to saints but don’t recognize the remains. 

The journey ends in Khabarovsk. One man lives there who is certain of the past. Lew Lipowicz is 100 years old. Born in 1917, has survived 3 famines, four wars, his country disappeared twice in his life (tsarist Russia and soviet Russia). He believes that the Russians are strong and patriotic. They love their mother land and they are ready to die for it. Khabarovsk close to the Chinese border.  Being here makes you realize the scale of Russia. It took 5 years to Bolsheviks to come here and they wrote a song about victory of communist forces. Brutal civil war has devastated Russia, the decisive battle was near Khabarovsk, red and white. No good guys or bad guys, this war was tragedy. Although all this took place in the past, people are confused about the past. Past in the Russia constantly changing. Finally, They discuss the possibility of revolution in the future.

This podcast tells about difficult historical events in an interesting and accessible way. It also shows that history is not as easy and obvious as it may seem to everyone, especially in Russia. Past here keeps changing, is disorienting for many people. History is rewritten and reinterpreted according who is in power. In Russia is not only the future which is unpredictable so as the past. History is neither black nor white. However, it must not be forgotten that every country has a history politics. Some people miss the old days and the past, even if they were much worse, such as the Soviet Union and communism.