19 February 1917. Lev Tikhomirov

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

Lev Tikhomirov

Moscow, Russian Empire

It’s Maslenitsa. And there’s no food to be had. We barely managed to get ourselves some milk. As for meat, Masha’s attempt to get hold of some proved wholly unsuccessful. Marfusha was next to be sent, and after spending an age in the queue she got four pounds of the stuff (bones included).

There’s nothing to make pancakes from, and nothing to eat them with. Moscow’s all dark, the streetlights remain unlit. Crooks, of course, are robbing people under the cover of darkness. This is such a difficult time! The servants are just barely surviving, but they’re not the only ones – even our cat Barsik has become thin as a skeleton. There’s nothing to eat, so he eats potatoes. Today, I sacrificed forty kopeks for his sake, so Masha could go out and find some entrails for him. He’s her favourite, but when you have nothing for yourself, you have nothing to give. He’s already exterminated all the mice. I feel sorry for the poor cat.

, and others

3 Like

Comment

✍ Also today

Vladimir Lenin Inessa Armand

Zurich, Switzerland

Dear Friend,

The other day we had a gratifying letter from Moscow (we shall soon send you a copy, although the text is uninteresting). They write that the mood of the masses is a good one, that chauvinism is clearly declining and that probably our day will come. The organisation, they say, is suffering from the fact that the adults are at the front, while in the factories there are young people and women. See more

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Pathe News

Alpine ski squad on patrol.

Carl Mannerheim

Petrograd, Russian Empire

The general mood in Petrograd is subdued. People are openly criticising the tsar. Due to heavy snowstorms, tens of thousands of freight cars are stuck on the tracks, with the bread and fuel situation in the capital and other major cities becoming particularly severe as a result.

, and others

2 Like

Comment

Alla Nazimova

New York, USA

Premiere of the play "Admission of a mistake”

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Pablo Picasso

Italy, Roma, Via del Babuino, 9, Hotel de Russie

We’re on our way from Paris to Rome to work on the ballet "Parade".

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Jean Cocteau

Rome, Italy

About to head off for the baths. Street by street we’re getting to know the city, wandering around without coats. Picasso arrives soon.

Rome is bewitching. I succumbed to the charms of its streets on the very first morning. We arrived by train following a journey accompanied by countless adventures, the very least of which was yesterday’s sleepless night.

, and others

2 Like

Comment

Grand Duchess Olga

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

Sat at home with Alexei in the playroom with Mama and Anya. Uncle Mimi drank tea. Clearly it was very cold. Papa read "August Cadets" about grandpapa. It was awfully sweet.

, and others

1 Like

Comment