A new Russian writer I discovered this morning is Nikolai Nekrasov (1821-78)...
Poet and Citizen. Struggle and Song
Fragments of Fragments
In 2016 I wrote a couple of posts on lists of writers whose work survives or is best known in fragments, who could even be imagined as the precursors of bloggers.
New Acquisitions in the Burning Archive
Over the last few weeks I have collected a fair swag of Russian world history and literature.
Pushkin and the Trauma of the Flood
The Russians of today show no sign of pulling down the great statue of Peter the Great that overlooks the Neva. Nor do they show any signs of cancelling Pushkin.
Strange Freedom
From this traumatised, divided old Russian Soviet poet, we learn about our own strange freedom.
The Seminar and the Last Night
Shvarts has become for me an important poet.
The Making of my podcast on the Medici
Today I have recorded, edited and released the latest episode of The Burning Archive podcast - The Medici in Games and in History
Experiments with Morning Routines
So today I experimented with restoring my morning routine, but with a twist. So today the plan is....
Three historical notes on Putin’s 2022 Victory Day Parade Speech
Vladimir Putin's Victory Day speech tells stories of how Russia has responded to threats by embracing multi-ethnic, multi-national traditions.
What if Russia Wins?
So, it seems reasonable at least to ask: what will happen in the West if Russia wins the war in Ukraine?
The Irony of Chekhov
Something tells me Chekhov and the innovations in drama he bequeathed to us may appear in my podcast series on the gifts of Russian culture.
How Lenin on the Train began a 100 Years War
Catherine Merridale, Lenin on the Train (2016), which I finished reading last night, is a very fine book. It is a gem, and perhaps ought to be recommended as among the very best introductions to the history of the Russian Revolution.
The Burning Archive 