Revolutionary Aftereffects: Material, Social, and Cultural Legacies of 1917 in Russia Today

Thirty years after the fall of the Soviet Union, the 1917 Revolution continues to shape Russia's social, cultural, scientific, and moral landscape. Revolutionary Aftereffects explores how the revolution has been commemorated and legacy in Russia, highlighting the continuity underlying an apparent discourse of discontinuity. Contributors from various disciplines provide insights into the changing nature of the revolution's memorialization and legacy, showcasing the ambivalence and contradictions within these narratives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2022
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Thirty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 1917 Revolution continues to loom large in Russian society. This pivotal event, which brought about significant social, cultural, scientific, and moral changes, remains a subject of debate and discussion among Russians. The question of whether the revolution was forced or inevitable, and whether it was a tragic or generative event, continues to divide opinions. Moreover, the legacy of the 1917 Revolution can be seen in various aspects of modern-day Russia, from politics to culture to society.

Revolutionary Aftereffects, a collection of essays, explores the ways in which the 1917 Revolution has been commemorated and remembered in Russia. While post-Soviet Russia has emphasized its break with the past, this study reveals a fundamental continuity underlying the apparent discourse of discontinuity in post-socialist Russia. Contributors from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literary studies, heritage studies, anthropology, geography, and sociology, provide insights into the ongoing reverberations of the revolution.

The essays in Revolutionary Aftereffects demonstrate the changing nature of the revolutions memorialization in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia. They explore the ambivalence and contradictions within these narratives, highlighting the complex and multifaceted ways in which the revolution has shaped Russian society.

One of the key themes explored in the essays is the role of memory in shaping historical narratives. Contributors argue that the memorialization of the 1917 Revolution has evolved over time, with different periods and political contexts shaping how it is remembered and interpreted. They note that the revolution has been both celebrated and condemned, with different groups and individuals using it to justify their political agendas and ideologies.

Another important aspect of the essays is the impact of the 1917 Revolution on Russian culture and society. Contributors discuss how the revolution influenced the development of Russian literature, art, music, and cinema, as well as how it shaped social and political movements such as the Bolshevik Revolution and the Russian Civil War. They also explore how the revolution continues to influence Russian identity and national consciousness, with some arguing that it has contributed to a sense of national pride and pride while others argue that it has perpetuated divisions and conflicts.

The essays in Revolutionary Aftereffects also raise important questions about the legacies of the 1917 Revolution for contemporary Russia. Contributors discuss how the revolution has impacted Russian politics, economics, and foreign policy, as well as how it has shaped the countrys relationship with the West and the rest of the world. They note that the revolution has contributed to the countrys political instability and economic challenges, as well as its ongoing struggles with corruption and authoritarianism.

In conclusion, the 1917 Revolution remains a significant and complex event in Russian history, with its social, cultural, scientific, and moral residues still evident in modern-day Russia. Revolutionary Aftereffects provides valuable insights into the ways in which the revolution has been commemorated and remembered in Russia, highlighting the changing nature of these narratives and the ambivalence and contradictions within them. The essays in this collection demonstrate the importance of studying the legacy of the 1917 Revolution in order to better understand the complex and multifaceted history of Russia.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 235 x 159 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487529567