DE
DE

Russia
Kafka and Orwell Reading Club Events

Kafka and Orwell Reading Club Events explore literature and contemporary politics
1.4 Minutes
discussion in Yerevan

In September, with the support of FNF Russia in Exile, three Reading Club events were held in Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Batumi. All the discussions  were focused on the intersection of literature and current political issues, particularly regarding Russia, human rights, and the war in Ukraine.

The first event "The Little Man in Big History" in Yerevan centered on Alexander Pushkin's novella "The Captain's Daughter". The discussion, led by Denis Dzhenzhera, human rights advocate, and featuring speakers Philipp Dzyadko and Mark Grigoryan, explored themes of loyalty, rebellion, and moral responsibility in the novel. These themes were connected to contemporary political struggles, such as authoritarianism and free speech in Russia, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine. The event highlighted the continuing relevance of historical literature to modern political resistance.

Event in Tbilisi was called "Immersion in the World of Loneliness and Self-Identification". The discussion of Ivan Filippov's novel "The Mouse" focused on its satirical critique of modern Russia. Filippov and journalist Andrei Goryanov addressed the novel’s portrayal of a metaphorically ill society and its collapse under authoritarianism. The participants explored political topics like protests, human rights, and life under repression. The novel’s ban in Russia and Filippov’s insights on writing in an authoritarian climate added weight to the discussion.

The third event in Batumi "Tracing the Journey: Moscow-Petushki" analyzed Venedikt Erofeev's “Moscow-Petushki”, a symbolic journey reflecting the struggles of living under an oppressive regime. Moderators Andrei Goryanov and Vladimir Romensky drew parallels between the novel’s themes and the experiences of Russian exiles, emphasizing migration, censorship, and free speech. Many of participants had fled Russia themselves. The event sparked a deep, ongoing conversation about the impact of authoritarianism and the war in Ukraine.

All three events successfully bridged literature with contemporary political challenges, providing a platform for intellectuals, exiles, and human rights advocates to explore the role of fiction in addressing pressing global issues. Recordings of the discussions will be available on the Kafka Orwell Forum YouTube channel.