Letters to the Editor

To the Editors,

We have subscribed to your magazine since its start and to its predecessor, Soviet Life. We have enjoyed your publication very much — particularly your candid and informative articles on Russian people and events. Your photos have improved over time and now are on par with the best US magazines.

Occasionally you have displayed pictures of Russian samovars to our great interest and delight. We are fortunate to have a few samovars and would like very much to see an article on the subject in a future Russian Life should time and interest permit.

Thanks for your time and interest. Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Julian D. Farrar

Levanon, MO

Dear Julian,

See last month’s issue!

— The Editors

To the Editors,

I really enjoy Russian Life but there are a few points on the Dukhobors, Tsars Peter and Alexander that must be pointed out.

There are many Dukhobors who still hold Alexander I, The Blessed, in the highest respect as a Christian and ruler. He gave us freedom to worship and honored his grandmother Catherine the Great’s promise of exemption from military service. The Molokans and other Dukhobors celebrated Tsar Alexander and his edict giving us freedom of religion.

Peter The Great, meanwhile, should not be condemned for smashing Russian democracy. The Zemsky Sobor was not a democratic committee ,nor did it consider itself one. In fact, democracy was not a popular form of government at this time and many considered it mob rule. The Zemsky Sobor was made up of Boyars who tried to block Peter’s efforts to modernize Russia, and if he had not got rid of them Russia would have been swallowed up by her neighbors.

The tsar revived the title of Emperor to place himself and Russia on an equal footing with Western Europe and the Holy Roman Emperor. Earlier, Ivan the Terrible was addressed in official papers as Emperor of Russia by the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor. This was the precedent Peter used to revive the title. Russia was still considered barbaric and backward by Western Europe. If the Holy Roman Emperor recognized Peter as his equal then Russia would be equal to the rest of Europe. This was the main consideration, not the tsar’s ego.

Ron Donnoff

South Gate, CA

P.S. Will there be any pictures or articles on the new statue honoring Nicholas II in future issues? Also, will there be any further articles on pre-revolutionary Russia, (tsars, grand dukes, Russian heroes, landmarks, etc..)?

Dear Ron,

There are already several new statues of Nicholas II around the country, and changing attitudes to the Last Tsar are certainly an interesting subject for an article. We shall probably cover it in our Calendar section at a suitable time. Look out also for a story on Catherine the Great this November.

— The Editors

To the Editors,

Each month I receive your beautiful informative magazine and vow to write you a letter. The July issue finally did it for me. Ever since I was a little girl I have been interested in Russian language and culture. This interest stems from my love of gymnastics and the Soviet stars of the 70’s and 80’s.

To see the lovely (and flexible) Amina Zaripova on your cover was a great surprise. I hurried to read the article and was delighted to see some quotes from one of my favorite gymnasts, Dina Kochetkova. I was disappointed though, that there was no photo of Dina.

Thank you!

Jennifer Sulheilnard

P.S. At the end of your Olympic article you mention a Russian sports magazine Sport Ekspress. How can I order this and any other sport magazines (especially gymnastics) from Russia?

Dear Jennifer,

You can subscribe to Sport Ekspress through Viktor Kamkin Bookstore Inc., 4956 Boiling Brook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland 20852, tel. (301) 881-5973, fax (301) 8811637, email [email protected]  You can receive 252 issues a year for $230 including shipping costs.

—The Editors