I just posted a link in my "And they say Russia isn't funny," section, but I think it warrants discussion on the main stage, and maybe it isn't as funny as it seemed to me in the first place. As reported in today's Moscow Times, larger than life billboards of Josef Stalin will go up in Red Square this spring, as part of the celebrations of the 65th Anniversary of the end of World War II on May 9th. This is to increase awareness and understanding of the role Stalin played in helping Russia win the war.
What on EARTH are they thinking?
I can only think this is a strategic move to prevent Joe Biden from attending the festivities, in which case, fair enough.
Could we have got through the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II without this? Are the human rights activists who are up in arms, right to be so? Or do the dwindling number of veterans of the Great Patriotic War deserve to have the larger than life billboards up, which seems a modest request, compared to…say…a pension they could live on?
I'm not sure, but what I do know is that World War II and the Russians' obsession with it is certainly a rich lode of material for people like me. I recently completed a new chapter in my book, in which I recalled the happy occasion of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, butI must confess I never in my wildest dreams imagined life sized billboards of Stalin up in Red Square.
It is, however, moments like these that make the humorist in me pause…and question the material. It's moments like these, I expect the camera to pan down a close up shot of some good looking blond kid, singing "Tomorrow Belongs To Me." These are the roadsigns, I think, that come into such sharp focus in the rear view mirror.
I will certainly watch the drama unfold with interest, though it is unlikely HRH and I will be discussing it in any detail. You have to watch yourself when discussing May 9th.
Readers, what do you think? Log on and weigh in!
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Here's what I wrote about May 9th in the book:
May 9th commemorates the
glorious moment in 1945 (choreographed by Stalin with the tacit agreement of
Roosevelt and Churchill, who no doubt just wanted the whole thing to end one
way or the other) when the Soviet Army triumphantly marched into a vanquished
Berlin. World War II, or
“The Great Patriotic War,” as any Russian schoolchild will tell you, was a
conflict primarily fought in the Eastern European theater of war: starring the Russians as the Good Guys
and featuring the Nazis as the Bad Guys. While many millions of brave and patriotic Russians
perished, the Soviet Forces ultimately triumphed over the powers of Fascism,
and peaceful productivity was restored to the peaceful-loving Soviet
people. Footnote: there
were, perhaps, other skirmishes taking place on the periphery of this major
conflict such as a minor air battle over the English Channel, and some
unpleasantness in the Pacific, but they do not cover this in national
curriculum of Russia, even in elite officer-training military academies such as
the one HRH attended.
I once rented a DVD of
“Saving Private Ryan,” which I chose because HRH loves war movies. This particular war movie, however,
almost led to divorce. HRH watched
the grisly 17-minute opening with its vivid portrayal of the mud and blood of Normandy in silence, then turned to me and asked casually.
“What are we watching, here?”
“Darling,” I said laughing, “you must
know what this is…this is the D-Day landings.”
HRH considered this for a moment, no
doubt groping back to military history lessons slept through. He shook his head, and gave me a
classic Slavic Shrug. He peered at
Tom Hanks slogging up a hill.
“Vietnam?” he took a stab.
“Vietnam…ha ha ha. Try the Allied landings in
France?” I tried another description.
“Petrovna,” he said patiently, “I’m
telling you – I have no idea what you are talking about. Is this World War I or something?” he
surveyed the screen with confusion.
“Darling,” I adjusted my tone in
deference to those few, to whom, we many, owed so much, “This is the turning
point in the World War II.”
A long pregnant pause.
“My dear,” said HRH evenly, “The turning
point of the war is the Battle of Stalingrad, and don’t you ever forget it.”
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Ms. Eremeeva,
Your latest blog about the return of Stalin — on billboards in Moscow — would be funny were it not for the deadly-serious issues related to him.
As you point out, many Russian veterans of World War II are living on very small pensions. Though there are some few who might wish a return to the old USSR, I cannot believe that that will ever happen.
But, then, you mention the young boy and “Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” and I felt a cold chill run down my spine.
Re your viewing “Saving Private Ryan” with HRH — how are you and HRH going to explain things like the Cold War, the Berlin Airlift,the Berlin Wall, Mutually Assured Destruction, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Hungary, and so much more re 20th Century Russian History to Violet? Perhaps you could blog on that subject soon.
Your writing remains clear, cogent, clever, and concise. You balance your dry sense of humour with a deep understanding of both your own culture and Russian culture.
One final question — did you study Russian and Russian history in college? Pray tell — where?
Peter V. Buttenheim
Back in 2004, Chris Rock, the comedian and movie star, delivered an incisive joke: “If you’re black, America is like the uncle that paid your way through college, but molested you.” So, is there a Russian Chris Rock? Have Russians found a corresponding vein of satiric material in the Stalinist years?
I consider “Burnt by the Sun,” the phenomenal, tragical film by Nikita Mikhalkov, to be an iconic work; and I imagine it must have been the catalyst for much reflection within the Russian world. Is this film a classic in Russia? Is it aired on television?
Wow! This is incredible, and I guess, expected, somehow. As a Russian national, I am very disappointed by the fact that focus of attention to the War Veterans (on the both sides of my family) are given recognition through the billboards of the Tyrant, rather than better living conditions. Thank you, Jennifer, for noting this. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of other instances that the Russian children are not taught at school, like, that fact that the allies of the Soviet Union without whom winning the war would be an impossible task, mostly, to the fact that German allies were in all parts of the world, as well as the disgraceful agreements of the Yalta convention re displaced Soviet citizens, who ended up dead in concentration camps, after repatriation from Western Europe. These are just two expamles that lift eyebrows of any Russian who was not exposed to any extra-curricular materials, after passing the history exam in a Russian high school, or university. However, I would agree with HRH that the turning point of the Great Patriotic War was the battle of Stalingrad (where my grandfather fought BTW). I wish the materials used in education of school and college kids around the world would at some point converge and portray the reality of that time and fair contribution of all sides that fought in the battlefields of the WWII, of which Eastern fronts were the most intense. This would enable people to recognize the terror of war in Europe at that time, and hopefully relate to this. I remember the stories of my grandmothers from The Great Patriotic War and horror stories of David’s family during WWI in France (another war that isnt taught in Russia, really). This would hopefully, prevent people from the attempts to re-write the history pages, and would make judgement calls more fair. I hope I have not offended anyone, but the reality today is that history books show partial views on all sides… BTW, the Stalin Portrayt project is a municipal initiative by Yuri Luzhkov, not a Federal proposal.
Sergei, thanks for your thoughts on WWII, and your interesting observations on the current state of Russian schools. Thanks also, for correcting me that the decision was a municipal and not federal. So, readers, this means that only Moscow will enjoy the Stalin billboards.
Toni, thanks as always for your insightful comments. Burnt By the Sun is indeed a Russian classic, and much screened in Russia — on TV and in theaters. Director Nikita Mikhalkov is very involved in government.
Peter,
Many thanks for your optimistic thoughts. HRH and I try to present a very balanced view of recent history to Velvet, but she would rather just ride on a horse!!!
I’m a Russian Historian – with a BA from Columbia College!
Jennifer – as you know, I am heavily involved with charities in Moscow. The charities helping children have been told that their grants from the city will be slashed this year. All funds are going to the veterans of WWII to commemorate the 65th anniversary. While I appreciate that the veterans are being supported, I don’t think that they should be supported at great cost to other parts of society. The city just wants to make a big splash over all the rubles going to the veterans without commenting that children and orphanages will suffer.
Well, you never run out of topics to write about in Russia!
Elizabeth