Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[Contrarian]

We all missed the opportunity to mention the birthday of a very famous Russian back on December 11. So here it is.

Quote

"No one can accuse the great Russian writer of being an advocate of violence, aggression or war. His experiences, so brutally and so vividly recounted in his various semi-autobiographical novels dissuade any dispassionate reader from that conclusion. He had seen the open jaws of bitter Hell, and that Hell attempted not only to swallow him but destroy him and his soul totally. That the Soviet Hell—the Gulag—did not succeed, and that he emerged stronger for it, a man of resilient and unquestioned Faith, is a remarkable example of how true religious conviction and Hope can indeed overcome even the worst trials, both physical and spiritual."


https://www.unz.com/article/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn-ukraine-and-the-neoconservatives/

[AvHdB]

Interesting recently I have been rereading A. Solzhenitsyn. He was equally critical of the Soviet Union as the West in particular The United States. In 1978 when he was released by Soviet authorities and fled to American he gave a speech at Harvard. It was astonishing but also sobering. I will try to dig up a transcript and post it here.

Thank you Contrarian.

Perhaps I have posted this before but here is a song from the English group Renaissance about the Nobel prize winner.

[Orchid]

I am astonished about the fact that someone on this forum has mentioned Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
The only name that can be mentioned in  same sentence  with the association of Solzhenitsyn  is Fyodor Dostoevsky.

[Contrarian]

I am astonished about the fact that someone on this forum has mentioned Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
The only name that can be mentioned in  same sentence  with the association of Solzhenitsyn  is Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Why would you say that? Don't you think that we are literate enough? 

Hopefully you like both of them, although to be honest I haven't read much of Dostoevsky but of course know about him.

On the other hand one of my favorite books is by Solzhenitsyn and I intend to purchase at least a couple more.

Speaking of his speech at Harvard, it is touched upon in the link to the article which I posted. His warning to the USA has come true and it's only going to get worse.

I'm actually surprised that you want to stay in the US at this point! If I were Russian I would be thinking very seriously of leaving. 

[Orchid]

I am astonished about the fact that someone on this forum has mentioned Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
The only name that can be mentioned in  same sentence  with the association of Solzhenitsyn  is Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Why would you say that? Don't you think that we are literate enough? 

Hopefully you like both of them, although to be honest I haven't read much of Dostoevsky but of course know about him.

On the other hand one of my favorite books is by Solzhenitsyn and I intend to purchase at least a couple more.

Speaking of his speech at Harvard, it is touched upon in the link to the article which I posted. His warning to the USA has come true and it's only going to get worse.

I'm actually surprised that you want to stay in the US at this point! If I were Russian I would be thinking very seriously of leaving. 

It’s not about being illiterate. Its about interests.
You can learn about any country from inside and from outside.
You can learn about Russia from outside by visiting it.
You can know more about Russians from inside, just reading Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn, without visiting the country.
I can go back to Russia at any time.
I still have my house in the downtown of a big city.
I don’t think I will do it.
Why? Russia is a dangerous country. You will learn it from day one when you visit it.
From all counties I visited, only India is more dangerous.
The difference is that Indians love Americans, and Russians absolutely hate them.

[Contrarian]

I am astonished about the fact that someone on this forum has mentioned Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
The only name that can be mentioned in  same sentence  with the association of Solzhenitsyn  is Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Why would you say that? Don't you think that we are literate enough? 

Hopefully you like both of them, although to be honest I haven't read much of Dostoevsky but of course know about him.

On the other hand one of my favorite books is by Solzhenitsyn and I intend to purchase at least a couple more.

Speaking of his speech at Harvard, it is touched upon in the link to the article which I posted. His warning to the USA has come true and it's only going to get worse.

I'm actually surprised that you want to stay in the US at this point! If I were Russian I would be thinking very seriously of leaving. 

It’s not about being illiterate. Its about interests.
You can learn about any country from inside and from outside.
You can learn about Russia from outside by visiting it.
You can know more about Russians from inside, just reading Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn, without visiting the country.
I can go back to Russia at any time.
I still have my house in the downtown of a big city.
I don’t think I will do it.
Why? Russia is a dangerous country. You will learn it from day one when you visit it.
From all counties I visited, only India is more dangerous.
The difference is that Indians love Americans, and Russians absolutely hate them.

My impression is that Russian cities are safer than many American cities. Could you elaborate on this?

[Orchid]

I am astonished about the fact that someone on this forum has mentioned Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
The only name that can be mentioned in  same sentence  with the association of Solzhenitsyn  is Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Why would you say that? Don't you think that we are literate enough? 

Hopefully you like both of them, although to be honest I haven't read much of Dostoevsky but of course know about him.

On the other hand one of my favorite books is by Solzhenitsyn and I intend to purchase at least a couple more.

Speaking of his speech at Harvard, it is touched upon in the link to the article which I posted. His warning to the USA has come true and it's only going to get worse.

I'm actually surprised that you want to stay in the US at this point! If I were Russian I would be thinking very seriously of leaving. 

It's not about being illiterate. Its about interests.
You can learn about any country from inside and from outside.
You can learn about Russia from outside by visiting it.
You can know more about Russians from inside, just reading Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn, without visiting the country.
I can go back to Russia at any time.
I still have my house in the downtown of a big city.
I don't think I will do it.
Why? Russia is a dangerous country. You will learn it from day one when you visit it.
From all counties I visited, only India is more dangerous.
The difference is that Indians love Americans, and Russians absolutely hate them.

My impression is that Russian cities are safer than many American cities. Could you elaborate on this?

Several aspects do contribute in poor safety.
First is poor sanitary condition compared to the US.
Second, no guarantee that you will have a good health care if you get sick.
Be ready to be trashed by people when they learn that you are American.
They will enjoy your misery.
Last but not least, police is so powerful and low is so vague, so you can be arrested for not clear stamp in your documents.

[AvHdB]

There was no disrespect regarding posting the music link. It is in my opinion a beautiful and moving tribute to A. Solzhenitsyn.

While I can admire and respect Dostoevsky I find the writing for lack of better word, dense. By this I mean you need to chew on each sentence and consider every paragraph.

While I have read N. Gogol, and M. Bulgavov as well a bit of of Tolstoy my favourite Russian author is I. Turgenev. His writing is amazing! Compact, insightful and colorful.

I have seen A. Chekhov, The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard. That was surreal in that it was done in Dutch.

Just my two kopeks.

[Contrarian]

There was no disrespect regarding posting the music link. It is in my opinion a beautiful and moving tribute to A. Solzhenitsyn.

While I can admire and respect Dostoevsky I find the writing for lack of better word, dense. By this I mean you need to chew on each sentence and consider every paragraph.

While I have read N. Gogol, and M. Bulgavov as well a bit of of Tolstoy my favourite Russian author is I. Turgenev. His writing is amazing! Compact, insightful and colorful.

I have seen A. Chekhov, The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard. That was surreal in that it was done in Dutch.

Just my two kopeks.

I don't recall anyone complaining about the music link, it was welcome as far as my opinion.

Just curious what is your opinion in regards to Orchid saying that Russia is a very dangerous country and that they hate Americans?

I really think your attitude and how you respond to different people can help a person to get along in a different country. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

[AvHdB]

There was no disrespect regarding posting the music link. It is in my opinion a beautiful and moving tribute to A. Solzhenitsyn.

While I can admire and respect Dostoevsky I find the writing for lack of better word, dense. By this I mean you need to chew on each sentence and consider every paragraph.

While I have read N. Gogol, and M. Bulgavov as well a bit of of Tolstoy my favourite Russian author is I. Turgenev. His writing is amazing! Compact, insightful and colorful.

I have seen A. Chekhov, The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard. That was surreal in that it was done in Dutch.

Just my two kopeks.

I don't recall anyone complaining about the music link, it was welcome as far as my opinion.

Just curious what is your opinion in regards to Orchid saying that Russia is a very dangerous country and that they hate Americans?

I really think your attitude and how you respond to different people can help a person to get along in a different country. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

While I have not been in Russia in ten years, I suspect there is some truth to Orchids standpoint. Perhaps you will find this attitude more prevalent in the major cities where there is I understand non stop anti-American news. Most likely on the steppes you will find the average Ivan to be cautious but welcoming to a foreigner. Even a Dutchmen!

The odd thing Russia is barely on the American radar and you rarely read news in the mass media about Russia.

[BillyB]

The difference is that Indians love Americans, and Russians absolutely hate them.

I thought you loved me Orchid. (((

I blame the increasing hate between people's on Democrats. Putin is not an angel but Democrats been spreading additional propaganda Russia is to be blamed on everything.

[Contrarian]

The difference is that Indians love Americans, and Russians absolutely hate them.

I thought you loved me Orchid. (((

I blame the increasing hate between people's on Democrats. Putin is not an angel but Democrats been spreading additional propaganda Russia is to be blamed on everything.

I haven't seen you here in a long time, welcome back Billy.

And you got it right.

[Orchid]

The difference is that Indians love Americans, and Russians absolutely hate them.

I thought you loved me Orchid. (((

I blame the increasing hate between people's on Democrats. Putin is not an angel but Democrats been spreading additional propaganda Russia is to be blamed on everything.

Of course, I love you, BillyB. Never doubt it.  I am both Russian and American.
Yes, Putin is far from being an angel.
I noticed he brought more order to the country, still… no democracy.

[Orchid]

There was no disrespect regarding posting the music link. It is in my opinion a beautiful and moving tribute to A. Solzhenitsyn.

While I can admire and respect Dostoevsky I find the writing for lack of better word, dense. By this I mean you need to chew on each sentence and consider every paragraph.

While I have read N. Gogol, and M. Bulgavov as well a bit of of Tolstoy my favourite Russian author is I. Turgenev. His writing is amazing! Compact, insightful and colorful.

I have seen A. Chekhov, The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard. That was surreal in that it was done in Dutch.

Just my two kopeks.

That’s an impressive list.
For Russian woman, to have a partner like you are is a sheer luck.

[AvHdB]

Below is a link to the speech that A. Solzhenitsyn gave in 1978 at Harvard. It is well worth reading even if it is over 40 years old.

https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/a-world-split-apart

[Danchik]

I had a couple of bets with people that we'd get Biden out by the end of 2021. It's taken longer because they're fighting it and got lots of people in the Justice department compromised and the Republicans are in bed with the Democrats. Shoot me a PM so I can send you something.

It's why I'm here (even though I thought I would drop a few posts on my way out). Done and I'm out.

[Contrarian]

I had a couple of bets with people that we'd get Biden out by the end of 2021. It's taken longer because they're fighting it and got lots of people in the Justice department compromised and the Republicans are in bed with the Democrats. Shoot me a PM so I can send you something.

It's why I'm here (even though I thought I would drop a few posts on my way out). Done and I'm out.

Did BillyB pay up?