Cultural Revival in the Soviet Union: A Report From Moscow

In the history of Soviet culture, the spring of 1987 will go down as a time of significant changes. A year ago we could only speak of a “thaw,” major changes in the principal branches of culture. But as of February and March 1987, we could observe a decisive breakthrough, the beginning of a genuine cultural revolution. Forward movement in the sphere of culture is gaining power and momentum, toppling many false authorities and advancing new names while returning to the nation many valuable works that had been undeservedly kept concealed. This has caused real panic among some of the former “bosses” of the little mafias that had formed even in the world of culture. Speaking to the board of the Soviet Writers’ U...