2 May 1917. Alexandra Kollontai

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

Alexandra Kollontai

Shchepkina-Kupernik apt., Kirochnaya st. Petrograd, Russian Empire

Usually I either travel on foot or by tram. Sometimes you get a seat on the tram and around you there is the usual, heated argument: should we continue the war? What will the offensive give us? Bourgeois public trashes and berates the Bolsheviks. Soldiers and workers defend us and the Soviets. They argue heatedly, to the point of fighting. And I also get my own from the bourgeoisie. My name is hated by many.

Today the argument got so heated that it came to blows. And in the heat of this fist fight discussion our enemies were shouting: “If that nasty, Bolshevik Kollontai, were here she would not be so lucky! Beat her to death! She only corrupts honest people!” I had to quietly move towards the exit and to jump off at the first stop, good that they didn't recognise me.

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✍ Also today

Ivan Bunin

26, Povarskaya street, Moscow, Russian Empire

Just got back from Petrograd. Tomorrow will try to find out if it is somewhat possible to get to Odessa in a civilized way.

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Alexander Zamaraev

Totma, Vologodskaya guberniya, Russian Empire

The new government has so much work to do, it’s horrific. You need to travel to the front, to the factories, to teach, to explain. The old regime left it poor heritage.

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Leon Bakst

Naples, Italy

It is so peaceful and quiet here, despite the war; the sea is blue, and deep, warm, waves of the wind blur Capri in front of my windows…

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Anatoliy Lunacharskiy

Geneva, Switzerland

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Milyukov is an eminent imperialist and a supporter of war “until the victorious end.” Among the generals you cannot rely on anyone.

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Nicholas II

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

The weather was the same as yesterday but a little warmer. From 12 o'clock until dinner I sat with Alexis and gave him a history lesson. During the day I took a walk with him and Tatiana. For the first time all the family ate at the same table. Olga and Marie were the last ones to get better.

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in Petrograd

in Moscow