May 06, 2024

Small Things Can Fix Everything


Small Things Can Fix Everything
A presidential election protest in 2021.  Sergey Korneev, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

After a particularly difficult four years since the start of the pandemic and two years since the start of Russia's full-blown War on Ukraine, many Russians not surprisingly report higher levels of loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness. Takie Dela interviewed Russians who have fought against  despair by becoming active in their communities. 

Elena, a 30-year-old new to Kirov, joined in the efforts to find Twix the cat, who had been thrown off a train passing through to St. Petersburg. Although Twix unfortunately met his end before rescue squads assembled by the community could find him, Elena felt inspired by their teamwork and dedication to the cause. This experience reminded Elena of her ability to empathize: “There is something humane in us – at least in relation to our smaller brothers [animals], and this is already important."

For Irina, 57, collecting signatures for Boris Nadezhdin to appear on the presidential ballot represented a way to safely oppose the war in Ukraine. Irina, who had rarely voted in the past and had little interest in politics, saw support of Nadezhdin in her town of Tula as a way to build a community of like-minded people, both for political good and to make new friends.

Lev, 34, a Muscovite who emigrated abroad in 2022, also found that supporting Nadezhdin by gathering signatures among Russian emigres gave him a newfound sense of purpose and hope for Russia, even from beyond its borders. 

Others interviewed by Takie Dela mentioned the benefits of environmental and civic volunteering. Anna, 39, is fighting to prevent a landfill from being built near her small town in Arkhangelsk Oblast, while Liza, 30, hopes to stop the destruction of an eighteenth-century house in Yekaterinburg.

As Liza told Takie Dela, "I don't feel powerless anymore."

You Might Also Like

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

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

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
July 15, 2022

Steppe

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
November 26, 2013

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. 

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, 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