December 17, 2024

"Too Pro-War" Library Closes


"Too Pro-War" Library Closes
Books in Russian about politics. Flbpub, Wikimedia Commons.

On December 14, a St. Petersburg bookshop known for hosting pro-war "correspondents" and critics of the Kremlin's handling of its invasion of Ukraine announced on Telegram that it would close its doors "indefinitely." The owners said the reason for their closing was that "the end of the world is near."

St. Petersburg's Listva (Foliage) was a hotspot for pro-war journalists, authors, and Donbas separatists, often hosting talks. In July 2023, police evacuated the bookstore right before the former self-proclaimed "People's Governor" of Donbas and pro-war activist Igor Strelkov (the alias of Igor Girkin) was scheduled to speak. After Strelkov was arrested for his criticism of Russia's "lack of full commitment" in its war on Ukraine, his wife, Miroslava Reginskaya, held meetings with his allies at Listva.

The bookstore also feuded with other shops and libraries in the city. In 2019, Vse Svobodny (All are Free), another St. Petersburg bookshop, launched a map of independent libraries. Listva was included in the list but accidentally disappeared. Its owners took to Telegram to confront Vse Svobodny, asking its representatives to say who they believed owned Crimea.

Listva posted, "As experienced scribes, we know the secrets of ancient prophecies and have the right to say: the end of the wolrd is near." The bookshop said they would be "the first to leave this world" amidst the planet falling in the hands of an "unknown but unyielding power." The statement added that part of Listva's team would go to a "nuclear-proof bunker" in occupied Donetsk, while the others would go into seclusion.

Listva is owned by Chertnaya Sotnya (The Black Hundred), a publishing house popular with the far right that supports the war in Ukraine. The store is owned by Dmitry Bastrakov, whose revenue was three million rubles ($29,021) in 2021. 

The bookstore announced an "end of the world" sale, offering a 20 percent discount on all merchandise. Listva will close on January 1, 2025.

You Might Also Like

Vanished Land
  • November 07, 2024

Vanished Land

A Russian island in the Arctic disappeared from satellite images.
A Pro-War Childhood?
  • October 31, 2024

A Pro-War Childhood?

Russian children are being instilled with militant patriotism through plays, stories, cartoons, and toys.
Facing Up
  • March 26, 2024

Facing Up

"Faces of the Russian Resistance" is a traveling art project that humanizes dissent in Russia.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
Driving Down Russia's Spine

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 
Survival Russian

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.
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.
Jews in Service to the Tsar

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.
Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
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 Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

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