LETTER FROM MOSCOW
In Vladimir, a charming but low-key city about 200 kilometers east of Moscow, the summer book festival confirmed a basic trend in cultural circles since the beginning of “special military operation” from the Kremlin in Ukraine: the return of denunciation in Russia. “A new reality that, unfortunately, was to be expected…”explains a renowned Russian writer who, in the face of increasing repression against any critical voice left in the country, asks to remain anonymous.
In front of “This war is not ours”For the past two and a half years, he has preferred not to participate in meetings with readers. As a precaution. He does not want to run the risk of being the target of “patriots” I went to report “the enemy” within the country.
This is what happened in Vladimir. The organizers of the festival, which took place from August 16 to 18 in this small town, were forced to cancel meetings with Irina Kotova and Assia Demichkevitch. These writers spoke out against military intervention in Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin colleagues at the head, bloggers, broadcast by the Writers’ Union of Russia, “indignant” see these two rebels speaking to the public in Vladimir. “Repression now has no limits”This author confesses that, for security reasons, he prefers not to appear in public anymore and, to write, he spends a few weeks abroad.
“I no longer recognize my country”
He limits all communication on social media, where messages accusing him of treason have circulated against him. “I am being targeted. You have to be careful: first, the trolls on the Internet, then possible legal action.” As Russia strengthens its legal arsenal against LGBT people, any allusion to homosexuality is closely scrutinized by authorities and… readers. “We are taking care of ourselves!”confirms one of the directors of a small publishing house that, against the current, continues to publish independent writings. Among them, a comic strip, Paloma Gennadiwhere, with all nuances, the hero does not hide his questions about his sexuality. “This was not lacking: we were reported and the police were interested in us! I no longer recognize my country.”
The threat weighs far beyond literary circles. Forced to censor themselves to conform to the Kremlin’s narrative mould, theatres have received orders from the Ministry of Culture: in the midst of a confrontation with the West, accused of decadence, we must promote patriotism and protect values and traditions. “Self-censorship, denunciation, fear… As soon as we talk about sex, drugs, politics, letters appear. This was not the case before”whispers a director in Kazan.
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