August 15, 2022

A Terrorist State?


A Terrorist State?
The Latvian Saeima building. Wikimedia Commons, 4.maijs Saeimā.

On August 11, Latvia's Saeima, the country's legislative body, declared Russia a "terrorism-supporting state" because of its invasion of Ukraine.

In the vote, 67 of 100 members voted in favor of the resolution. The legislation also denounces the "torture, rape, murder and mass detention of civilians in the so-called filtration centers, as well as mass deportations" perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine.

While the decision does entail specific measures in response to the declaration, it does call for stronger restrictions on Russia from the international community.

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This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Life Stories
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The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

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