June 19, 2023

"Sieva," The Boy Who Lived, Dead at 97


"Sieva," The Boy Who Lived, Dead at 97
Esteban Volkov standing in front of the grave of his grandfather, Leon Trotsky. izquierdadiariomx, Instagram.

Lev Trotsky's grandson and the steward of his legacy, Esteban Volkov, died on June 17 in Mexico. He was 97. Volkov was the last surviving witness of the murder of his grandfather in 1940.

Born in 1926, in Yalta, Ukraine, Vsevolod Platonovich Volkov became an orphan early due to Stalin's persecution. His father was sent to Siberia. His mother committed suicide. Young Vsevolod attended a boarding school in Vienna and then moved to Paris with his uncle, Trotskyite leader Lev Sedov. After Sedov was poisoned, Volkov was brought to Mexico City on the orders of his maternal grandfather, Lev Trotsky. In Mexico, Vsevolod changed his name to "Esteban." His Abuelo called him "Sieva."

While living with Trotsky in Mexico, "Sieva" was wounded in an attack against Trotsky by Stalinist muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros. Three months later, when returning from school, Volkov witnessed the aftermath of his grandfather's murder at the hands of Spanish NKVD agent Ramón Mercader, who had infiltrated Trotsky's inner circle. Volkov told El País"At that moment, I didn't recognize him. His face was bloody, and he emitted strange squeaks and howls."

After the murder, "Sieva" studied chemistry and worked in a lab that helped synthesize the birth control pill. He married Palmira Fernández, who fled the Spanish Civil War, and raised their four daughters where Trotsky died. In 1990, Volkov inaugurated the Museo Casa de León Trotsky (museum of the House of Trotsky), which became a touristic staple of Mexico City. In 2017, Esteban Volkov called out Netflix and the Russian government for reproducing Stalinist rhetoric in a series about his grandfather.

When reflecting on his legacy, Volkov said: "My role is to say what I lived." 

 

 

You Might Also Like

Food, Dance, Poets
  • January 25, 2023

Food, Dance, Poets

In which we review books about food, dance, poetry, and Stalin.
Leon Trotsky
  • September 29, 2001

Leon Trotsky

Table of contents for complete text of Trotsky's "The Lessons of October."
Trotsky on Trotskyites
  • January 15, 2015

Trotsky on Trotskyites

How can you be accused of wanting to restore the bourgeoisie when all you've said is that the current policy isn't anti-bourgeoisie enough? Leon Trotsky responds to the nonsense dominating Soviet courtrooms in the 1930's.  
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

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.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955