Artemy Troitsky, journalist
“The sheep paddock is preferable to carry out the shepherd”
Nyman/Greenaway, “the draughtsman’s Contract”.
Two texts I came across recently and prompted this remark: sensational interview with Dmitry Bykov and Andrei Konchalovsky, and the speech of Vladimir Pozner in the English Cambridge. If very short (but clear), both luminary-the Humanities justify the different articles of the current Russian regime and call not just to accept him, but also to be supported. In the final, said the Cambridge meeting, answering soft question — not whether pandering to Putin seal of approval for its “inhumane” policies in Ukraine? — Posner said the following. “Forget about humanity, forget about what is good and what is evil. Just remember one thing: WHAT’s IN YOUR best INTEREST”. Congratulations, Mr President — better not say!
One of our with Vladimir Pozner shared American friend described his main line, human, and career — the English word “survivor”. Its exact equivalent in the Russian language there, but you can probably use the clumsy neologism “survivalist”. It’s like a prominent figure in the Soviet state Anastas Mikoyan, whom went the proverb “From Ilyich to Ilyich (from Lenin to Brezhnev — at) without a heart attack and stroke!” Andrei Konchalovsky, it is easy to estimate, from the same club.
He really, perhaps, being the survivalist I am calm and not without respect for their abilities. In the end, and I myself, although a life lived, as a rule, be reckless and careless, integrity manifested not always, and Galich account (remember: “keep silent — you get into rich men… to keep silent — you get into Pervatsch… keep silent — you get into executioners”) is not without sin… Now, however, decided to speak out — which will probably cost me my relationship with two lovely people. And here’s why: I swear to God, I don’t understand why two intelligent, educated, credible people don’t THOUGH (sorry, Alexander Galich!) to remain silent? As do the hundreds of humble — in the right places — masters of culture and the aces of the air. Should definitely be “the first disciples”?!
In the sincerity of the support Konchalovsky and Posner “Putin’s sake” I don’t believe; in the sincerity of the “interests” — inclined to believe, of course. But, guys: you already 80 years old, plus or minus — isn’t it time to remember that there are things more important than the status of the liquor and the wealthy — and much much more?? Or is this contract paustovskii a contract with an infernal power? Signed with blood, the works… Oh, I don’t know.
