Hercen, wolność, my
Herzen, Freedom, Us

Summary/Abstract: “Alexander Herzen. I would like to imagine him in Poland in 2021 and 2022, in Russia in 2021 and 2022, and in Belarus in 2021 and 2022. In Poland – a country of official lawlessness, and in Russia outlawing Memorial and serving poison to its unruly citizens. Herzen, who challenged Russia under Tsar Nicholas, but never became a bloodthirsty anarchist. Between the lines of his writings, during intervals between various undertakings, he smuggled a refusal to accept the existing world and expressed creative rebellion. Nonetheless, he did not follow the paths of either Marx or Bakunin. Today, Herzen’s road is pursued by Yury Dmitriev, Alexei Navalny, Andrey Pachobut, and numerous male and female prisoners in the penal colonies of Russia and Belarus; this is also the path followed by the founders of Memorial. “Already as an adolescent – after the stifling of the Decembrist Revolt (14 December 1825) – Herzen knew what side he was on and evolved towards his works and the radical courage of breakthrough undertakings” – the author wrote in an essay awarded in the “Freedom of Thought – Freedom of Expression” competition organised by the Society of Authors ZAiKS and Polish PEN Club.

• Details
• Contents