A Russian poet and author discussed famous literature he believed includes messages to former dictator Joseph Stalin in a McKeldin Library lecture Friday.
Dmitry Bykov, known for his controversial politics and emotional writing, explored works and how they address Stalin and early 1900s Russian society before about 80 people. Bykov described literature he believed was written as messages to Stalin, meant to comment on his reign of Russia, and put various novels and plays into a historic context.
“Each novel that is addressing Stalin is attempting to be heard by the power,” he said.
A well-known Russian intellectual, Bykov has written numerous poetry collections, novels and popular biographies of Russian writers, said history professor Sarah Cameron, who spoke in a symposium featuring Bykov earlier in the day.
Bykov’s lecture ended a weeklong series of events about Russian history. On Tuesday, Bykov read his poetry in Russian. Friday featured an all-day symposium on “The Soviet Legacy” in which various professors gave short lectures followed by a roundtable discussion with Bykov about how Russia is overcoming and accepting its past as the Soviet Union.
“Studying the Soviet legacy is part of a really important quest for Russia,” Cameron said. “It is essential for them to understand and come to terms with some of the really terrible things that happened to them, as well as help them establish their national identity.”
Bykov is also a member of the political opposition in Russia and he often expresses distaste for Russian President Vladimir Putin through writing and media appearances.
“He’s sort of the Russian equivalent to Stephen Colbert. He’s known for being very witty and clever,” said senior government and politics and Russian major Karina Panyan.
However, Bykov’s lecture focused more on literature than politics. He discussed the works of authors such as Mikhail Bulgakov, Boris Pasternak and Leonid Leonov.
For example, Bykov spoke about Bulgakov’s novel, Master and Margarita, which was written during Stalin’s reign. Bykov said the novel used a combination of humor and religious undertones to satirize Stalin’s politics and express how “Russia had no place in Christianity.” In its time, he said, the novel was controversial and ill-received by some who considered its use of religion distasteful.
“Bad taste is a sign of a genius,” he said.
Ben Philip, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, thought most of the lecture was confusing because Bykov never gave background information or explanations for the authors he spoke about.
“I really didn’t know any of the people he was talking about other than Stalin and Barack Obama,” he said.
Hariton Wilson, a senior government and politics and Russian major, said although he did not know every writer Bykov mentioned, the authors were well-known in Russia. Despite the lack of background information, Wilson found the lecture engaging.
“It was interesting to hear the different styles the authors addressed Stalin as both covertly and uncovertly,” he said.
In between the critique of Russian literature, Bykov interjected jokes and historic anecdotes. Sophomore English and anthropology major Becca Lane said Bykov also came to her Russian literature class to speak about Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky.
“I was expecting him to be incredibly proper and in a suit and tie, but he was very casual, very comedic and was dressed in camo and Crocs. It was really refreshing,” she said.
After his lecture, Bykov answered audience members’ questions about Russian literature and history, as well as his writing career. At the request of the audience, he explained his thoughts on growing technology like cell phones and Twitter in Russia, his target audience and why he writes.
“If you want to change the world, do not talk to the head of state; talk to the common people,” Bykov said.
