Ink and Ire: The Revolutionary Impact of Russian Literature

About this event

Can the written word spark resistance against an autocratic state? We examine Russian literature from its Golden Age, illustrating how the Sovremennik magazine, initiated by the legendary poet Alexander Pushkin and featuring works of Russian literary giants, served as a gateway to more radical ideologies, ultimately igniting violent dissent against the Czarist regime. Using Pushkin's `circle' and his chance encounters as an instrument for the magazine's spread, we find evidence of a causal relationship. The magazine cultivated a market for revolutionary ideas, inspiring underground publications and new generations of readers and writers. Our findings highlight that Russian literature, one of the most influential literary movements, catalyzed violent political dissent against the Czar.