A place for discussion

On October 3, at the initiative of “The Other Russia,” the first “Non-Parliamentary Debates” will be held in Moscow. Topic: “Parliamentarism in Russia.” The debate will be attended by former head of the Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko, leader of the UCF Garry Kasparov, writer Eduard Limonov, State Duma deputy Dmitry Rogozin, leader of the Russian Communist Workers' Party Viktor Tyulkin, presidential adviser on economic issues Andrei Illarionov. The debate, which will take place at the House of Journalists at 8a Nikitsky Boulevard, in the Marble Hall, will be led by journalist Sergei Dorenko. The meaning of this glorious action is that on earth, including in Russia, there should be a place where people can talk about what is happening in the country. Different people, not just “convenient” and correct ones. I would like to hope that the debate will not become a “one-time experiment”; I would like to believe that this, albeit a modest, but still an important attempt to remind society of what free discussion is. Not a unanimous vote, not talk shows, not slogans at rallies, but rather a discussion - where there is a place for opinions, arguments, thoughts and arguments.