November 09, 2023

The George Orwell Library


The George Orwell Library
"1984 is now." Markus Spiske, Unsplash.

In Ivanovo, an industrial city located five-hours from Moscow, a beacon of intellectual freedom and resistance to propaganda has emerged. The George Orwell Library, established in 2022, has become a symbol of hope in the face of growing censorship and government control.

Situated in the modest confines of a ground-floor space in a dilapidated building, the George Orwell Library is a sanctuary for free thought. It houses a computer, several hundred books, and its librarian, Alexandra Karaseva. Speaking passionately about the transformative power of literature, the 67-year-old librarian said, "Books help us to see what is human, even in an enemy, and reject any form of dehumanization.”

The library owes its existence to Dmitry Silin, a local businessman and vocal critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Fearing potential imprisonment for his outspoken views, Silin fled Russia soon after the library's opening.

Karaseva proudly displayed the library's collection of books, encompassing works on dystopias, the Soviet prison system, writings by contemporary authors critical of the Kremlin, and a selection of lighter novels designed to "lift spirits."

The George Orwell Library stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature in the face of adversity, offering Ivanovo residents a refuge for independent thought, intellectual growth, and resistance against encroaching propaganda and censorship.

Dmitry Shestopalov, an 18-year-old activist from the Yabloko opposition party, frequents the library to watch films and connect with other young people. He highlights the library's role in providing a space for personal growth: "You can develop yourself here despite everything that is happening in our country. You can forget fear, feel free, feel comfort, feel that you are not alone in the enormous system that is devouring us."

The books at the George Orwell Library are readily available for loan, following the traditional lending practices of any standard library. This collection includes the works of authors who have been designated as "foreign agents" under Russian law, a classification that necessitates their sale in bookshops with concealed covers.

You Might Also Like

Last Words
  • April 28, 2023

Last Words

Some poignant and brave “last words” of dissenters, and some notes about the resurgence of denunciations.
Unwritten Resolution
  • July 14, 2023

Unwritten Resolution

Nizhny Novgorod court shuts "LGBT Propaganda" case on local bookstore.
Standing the Test of Time
  • January 31, 2023

Standing the Test of Time

A conservative State Duma deputy called for the removal of The Gulag Archipelago from the Russian school curriculum.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

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.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

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