February 05, 2012

Putin's Counterattack


Putin's Counterattack

It seems like those in power are starting to get very worried, and therefore have gone over onto the counterattack. All across the country, they are herding people to pro-Putin rallies, handing out stenciled posters, then declaring what huge support he has.

On February 4, the very day when the opposition demonstration was to take place on Moscow’s Yakimanka ulitsa, they bused in a huge number of people for a pro-Putin meeting at Poklonnaya Gora, with promises to pay the demonstrators as well as, it was rumored, to pass out free vodka.

I live near Poklonnaya Gora (a park and site of a World War II monument), and when my daughter and I left our building in order to head over to Yakimanka, it was absolutely horrific. Crowds with all sorts of strange people were walking down the street, clearly having just been bused in from little towns and villages in the Moscow region. The heftily-built men were already drunk, and obviously very happy that they would be able to drink some more. Yet the saddest thing was that, among them were Moscow teachers. The call had gone out to all the schools: send five teachers each to the demonstration. Everyone knew all about this, but practically no one spoke about it openly. They didn’t try to force anyone from our school to go to the pro-Putin rally. I gather it was because we did not shrink from encouraging our graduates to attend the December 16 opposition rally. There was a bit of a scandal, but now they don’t touch us.

At the pro-Putin rally, apparently someone asked from the podium, “Is there anyone who was brought here against their will?” The crowd chuckled and gleefully cried out, “Noooo!” After this the audience was told that Putin is the foundation for stability, and people should not rock the boat.

Over on Yakimanka, things were very lively indeed. The crowd was very diverse and, as always, their creative spirit was in full swing. Each poster was funnier than the last. One had portraits of Kaddafi, Lukashenko, Stalin and Putin – the first three of course with mustaches. Under the portraits was a line from Diamond Arm, one of Russians’ favorite and most popular movies: “Why did Volodka shave off his ‘stash?”

A graduate of our school and some of his friends carried a huge banner (in English): “No Putin No Cry.” [A reference to the Bob Marley song, “No Woman, No Cry”.] Next to them, practically being carried along, was an old woman. Judging by the huge number of medals on her chest, she had been through the entire Second World War, which means she was about 90. She had a huge poster on her back: “I vote for a presidential term of 3-5-10-25 years, but not in the Kremlin… in Kolyma.” Now that’s a woman!

And the excellent writer Dmitry Bykov was carrying a poster that quickly became the symbol of the anti-Putin rally: “Don’t rock the boat, it’s making the rat sick!”

Photo credit: Zzabavka

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.
The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
Moscow and Muscovites

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 
Murder and the Muse

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.
Dostoyevsky Bilingual

Dostoyevsky Bilingual

Bilingual series of short, lesser known, but highly significant works that show the traditional view of Dostoyevsky as a dour, intense, philosophical writer to be unnecessarily one-sided. 
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
The Moscow Eccentric

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.
93 Untranslatable Russian Words

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955