Forward to Retro-Culture!
Russian Literature and the Literature Prizes for 2009
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Never before, as in 2009, have Russia’s literary competitions so fully disappointed expectations that highly esteemed, artistic works on relevant, present-day issues would be recognized. The National’nyi Bestseller was awarded a novel that was composed “solidly and realistically in the style of Soviet literature.” As Bol’shaia Kniga, a work was chosen that stirs memories of three generations of the Soviet elite. The Russkii Buker went to a barely read author who praised three “holy Russian women” of the Soviet era as bearers of “historical memory.” By contrast, conflict-laden critiques of society found no mercy among jurors. On the eve of the 65th anniversary of Soviet victory in the Second World War, the most decorated part of Russian literature gives the impression of a nostalgia hungry, patriotically gilded retro-culture.
(Osteuropa 6/2010, pp. 131–203)