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We've come up with a new format, and today we're launching it. Now, every Wednesday on our channel, short videos called 'Books with Tamara Eidelman' will be released.
I want to make it clear-I'm not a literary expert or a literary critic. I'm just someone who really loves to read. Remember the wetikons from the Strugatsky brothers' 'Hard to Be a God'-those creatures that would die if they weren't allowed to read? Well, that's me...
So, I'll simply be sharing my thoughts on books that interest me-perhaps newly released ones or ones that I love to read and reread. Just sharing my impressions with you.
And of course, if you comment on what you think about these books and suggest other books you'd like to hear about, I'd be very grateful.
Welcome to 'Books with Tamara Eidelman.'
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We'll start with a book that made a profound impression on me-the research by Nikolai Epple titled 'Uncomfortable Past: Memory of State Crimes in Russia and Other Countries.' In short, I believe everyone should read this book, and it would be beneficial to study it in schools.
This book explores how different societies and states handle historical memory, how they attempt reconciliation in divided countries, and how they rebuild relationships where the nation is split between victims and executioners, addressing historical trauma.
After reading this remarkable book, I drew a few conclusions for myself.
Firstly, there are various ways to deal with the past, and it's not always about public repentance and punishment.
Secondly, it's an incredibly long and painful process-overcoming any trauma doesn't happen overnight. However, we often wish it did, as I did thirty-five years ago. Nikolai Epple's book provides fascinating examples of individuals in our country (Denis Karagodin) and others doing work related to themselves and their past.
Thirdly, the work of overcoming historical trauma can start in the most unexpected ways. In Argentina, women whose children were abducted started gathering weekly on Plaza de Mayo, walking with white scarves tied around their heads. This led to the formation of the organization 'Mothers of Plaza de Mayo' and later 'Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo.' However, it begins when society is ready to start it-or at least part of society. Or certain NGOs. And ideally, the authorities.
As I read on, I thought about Argentina, South Africa, Spain, and wondered why not in our country. Then I reached the last part where the author formulates what is needed for such work to start in our country. He even finds many sprouts, albeit weak ones, already existing and functioning. It's not an idealistic illusion; Nikolai Epple clearly sees how far our country is from real, not fictional, not handed over to the military-historical society work on memory. But at the same time, he precisely defines what is necessary for such work. What can each of us do in this case? As Lev Shlosberg wrote, 'build up public leverage.'
Furthermore, reconciliation in the country is not universal reconciliation. It's each person reconciling with their past and present. And, as Nikolai Epple beautifully illustrates, it doesn't mean unconditional forgiveness for any wrongdoing.
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00:00 - Introduction. Video theme.
1:11 - Book "Uncomfortable Past," author Nikolai Epple.
2:11 - Unresolved questions to this day.
3:03 - What is meant by the word "understood"?
4:45 - Varieties of attitudes towards past crimes in different countries.
8:25 - What else I liked about this book?