Today is the centennial of the October Revolution – so named based on the old Russian calendar, despite the November 7th anniversary date on the Gregorian Calendar.
When I was growing up, the Soviet Union seemed eternal, and if not triumphant, certainly persistent. The notion that now, in my own middle age, the Soviet Union fell and disappeared more than a quarter century ago remains a stunning bit of history. In terms of impact on human history I believe that – in the modern era at least – the Bolshevik Revolution has been basically unparalleled, despite its unqualified long-term failure. Nor do I mean to necessarily praise it in saying that – it let loose demons that are still abroad in the world, if perhaps we could charitably grant that its "heart was in the right place," in the distorted view of its protagonists.
What I'm listening to right now.
Prokofiev, "Alexander Nevsky" op. 78.
[daily log: walking, 7km]