Skobov's feat

One of the last Soviet dissidents wrote a letter from prison to the Russians. "New Evrope" publishes him

The deeper our country plunges into hell, the more examples of self -sacrifice and heroism. In prisons in political articles there are already at least one and a half thousand prisoners. Having no chance of victory, people go against a distraught, not knowing pity, breaking off the chain of the car. They know that for this prison, and still go! They tell them: it is hopeless, step back - shut up or leave. They listen, but continue! For what? What do they want to achieve?

They are living people, for most of them (at least until it reaches the last limit), life does not boil down only to the struggle. Like all of us, they need a lot of things. Bread and spectacles, love and recognition. Perhaps only they think about safety a little less than others. And, like all of us, they need to respect themselves.

Actually, much of what we do is precisely for self -esteem. We earn money, make a career, even risk life - and all this is very often only to be able to say to ourselves: “I have achieved a lot, I did not chopped it up, I overcame this and this, it means I am a worthy person!”

Achievements that give us high self -esteem can be completely different. In the charming town of San Jiminyano near Siena, several families from generation to generation competed, who would build the highest tower. Someone won, but then the son of the loser built a few more meters over his tower and erupted forward. The town looks like a fairy -tale Manhattan - skyscrapers against the background of medieval buildings and squares! True, this worked to strengthen self -esteem only because this strange criterion for success (“The higher the tower, the more honor”) was shared by the reference group of local aristocrats - other aristocrats.

Now other chimeras: ranks and titles, a new car, a collection of paintings or the longest yacht in the world. But more reliable self -esteem is given by other things that are not related to money and the status: the success of children, a good family, a book recognized by readers. And most importantly - a meaningful life.

That's something, but there is a sense of meaning for those who go to battle with the system. They think not of themselves.

They are therefore strong, which they think not of themselves, but about the country and about others. They sincerely hope at the cost of a huge risk to change the country, stop evil, give Russia a chance.

Relatively young people go to prison forever: they hope to return, survive the conclusion, go free and continue the struggle. The example of Nelson Mandela is known to everyone. Many of us would be willing to vote for those who proved their devotion to high ideals. Of course, there is a motive for belonging, pride in the fact that you are one of those who do not spare life in the struggle for the truth. And the recognition of people - not in the elections, but in general - is also worth a lot. And all this, of course, gives a deservedly high self -esteem.

The heroes of the wars believed that at the cost of their lives they could stop or at least detain the enemy: here, through my trench you will not go! Political activists and human rights activists believe that their victim is capable of at least a little, but to scatter the surrounding darkness: people, looking at us, will understand that they do not need to be afraid, that they are deceived, that they can get rid of trouble.

But there are, alas, situations when you can’t influence the world around you. And the prison is to death, and your voice will no longer be heard. And you are in complete power executioners. The only last freedom that remained you have is the freedom of attitude to what is happening. And to yourself.

Victor Frankl said that preservation of self -esteem is meaningful even at the time of execution. It is meaningful for you that you leave this world with your head raised, respecting yourself until the last second. This is not about mythological heroes, this is about real people. We all saw a Ukrainian soldier, who, a second before the execution, said quietly and without affecting: “Glory to Ukraine!” But there are heroes among us.

Alexander Skobov, 67 years old, a seriously ill person from a galaxy of Soviet dissidents. He was all persuaded not to return home from Armenia, where he went to say goodbye to his children - the arrest was already inevitable. He returned, in court behaved heroically, now in Syktyvkar. He knows that he will not work.

He never claimed any authority or any honors. He was not eager for the stage, but also under the Soviet regime, and now he said what he considered correct. He did not need anything, besides this right to say. But for him he was ready to give his life.

Now he wrote a letter - his wife, but at the same time and all of us with the explanation why he did just that.

This, of course, is a farewell letter. And this is a fantastic document, everyone should read it-the “New Europe” publishes it.

He avoids pathos words and does not say that he sacrificed his life for the sake of principles, although this is so. He does not think about influence on others, about showing someone an example, about teaching someone to teach or inspire something. But he wants the current young, who assumed the main blow of the system to know that Soviet dissidents are next to them. He wants his generation - and he is one of the last - to complete his path that way, without retreating and without betraying himself. He wants to maintain dignity, remain a man. To the end. Actually, he already solved this problem: they did not break him, he is the winner.

Alexander Skobov is not just a hero. He is a saint in the literal, biblical sense of the word. The Lord promised to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there are ten righteous people there. Russia, of course, deserved any punishment. But maybe he will spare her at Skubova.

“I want those young people who have accepted the blow to know: the last Soviet dissidents stood next to them”

Letter of Alexander Skobov Olga Shcheglova and Russian citizens

Dear Olya!

I wanted to write this letter to Lena (you can easily understand why), but I have ended her reverse forms. And, in any case, this is not only for her.

You and I talked about this on the first date. I want to once again explain why I refused to many people close to me who persuaded me to take the opportunity to leave.

I belong to the generation of Soviet dissidents-Poliseecs. For all its small number, it has become a significant historical phenomenon. It has become a symbol of a person’s confrontation. Influenced the international agenda.

And although I have always been in this generation by a “white sheep” due to the fact that the Red itself, for me, belonging to it is the most important thing in life. There were different people in it: good and not very, strong and weak. There was its own “wrong side”, as in any opposition “party” at all times. But her face was large -scale personalities who became the standard of strength of spirit and morality.

They all have already passed away. There were few of us, but now there were units. Our generation is in its historical place for quite natural reasons. And against the backdrop of a new unfolding historical drama, she was completely on the sidelines.

We were not touched for a long time. Like, they will die themselves. Or they will get drunk and will live on interest on the once acquired (quite deservedly) political and moral capital. The blow fell on other people, mostly much younger.

I am skeptical of pathos phrases about the transfer of traditions and experience. This mechanism in reality has always worked extremely weakly. Each new generation prefers to fill its cones by itself. But I want those young people who took a blow to know: the last Soviet dissidents stood next to them, be with them, divided their path with them.

I do not know what practical benefits from the point of view of tactical and strategic tasks of the moment will bring. I just want someone to become a little warmer from this. I want my generation to complete my story by this.

July 21, 2024