18 May 1917. Marina Tsvetaeva

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

Marina Tsvetaeva

Borisoglebsky lane, 6, Moscow, Russian Empire

I always give up my seat for old men, old women. To old women—with joy, to old men—with delight. (But not to those shaved ones, that would be offensive. I smile at the shaved ones). I have scared one old man to death with this.

Another one, to whom I offered five kopecks (it was early morning and they couldn't change his money), he looked at me for a long time, not understanding, "How will I pay you back?" "Goodness, it is just five kopeck!" "No my dear lady, this is impossible." (The old man was from the old ones). "Come on, sir, either pay up or get off," the conductor was rushing him. "For God’s sake," I pleaded with him. The old man was still looking suspiciously. "Take it, if you are being offered!" said some worker angrily. The old man still was not sure. And then, suddenly, with an inspired face, "What is your name?" "Mine? Marina." "Well, my dear lady. As soon as I get off, in the first church, I will buy a candle with these five kopecks and will light it to your health." "Ok, that's fine!" And he laughed happily.

, and others

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✍ Also today

Paul Klee

is working on a painting called "The Nordic Holy Land"

Summer school, Gersthofen, Bavaria, German Empire

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Vasily Kravkov

7th Siberian army corps

The newspapers are riddled with headlines, "A Menacing Moment," "Grave Sin," "On the Edge of Ruin," "Anarchy"—with reports of agricultural disorders and soldier riots. Lenin's Zinovyev, overstraining himself, yells, "Down with all kings, monarchs, bourgeoisie, landowners and other oppressors!" Calls for wide fraternization on all fronts. See more

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Jean Cocteau

Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France

I have heard the roar of a bayonet attack in Flanders, but it was nothing compared to what was happening in Théâtre du Châtelet! On the night of "Parade's" premier I was surprised at Diaghilev. This brave man listened to the roar of the hall, all white in the face as if a dead man. He was afraid—and he had reasons to be afraid. See more

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Serge Diaghilev

Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France

The premiere of the ballet "Parade."

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Igor Stravinsky

The production impressed me with its freshness and real originality. "Parade" has actually convinced me how right I was, when I thought so highly of Satie’s accomplishments and the role he played in French music by having contrasted the dim aesthetics of the age of impressionism, already living out its time, with his powerful and expressive language, devoid of any kind of pretentiousness and adornments.

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Ilya Ehrenburg

Paris, France

Before the war I have seen one of Diaghilev’s ballets that caused a scandal—Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” But I have never seen anything like what happened at the “Parade.” People, sitting in the orchestra, rushed towards the stage, and angrily screamed, “Curtain!” See more

, and others

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Romain Rolland

Grand Hotel Chateau Bellevue, Sierre, Switzerland

The opening of Saisons Russes in Paris. For the whole of Paris (and English officers) this represented the ascension of cubism to the throne, on the stage of du Châtelet. Picasso, Eric Satie. The snobs had their mouths agape with admiration.

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Vladimir Dzhunkovskiy

Pavlovschina, Russian Empire

Guchkov left, Kerensky became the new war minister. With this appointment a new step was made towards the destruction of the army, to please the Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies.

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Alexander Kerensky

is a War and Navy minister

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Alexander Kerensky

I have begun to fulfill my new duties.

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Alfred Knox

Petrograd, Russian Empire

The Government has taken in five socialists. Kerenski is Minister of War. I went to the official residence of the Minister of War— 67, Moika—this morning, and was there before Kerenski arrived. He took me into his room and introduced me to his assistants, Colonel Yakubovich and Prince Tumanov.He will leave for the South-West Front in five or six days, “ when he has restored order here." Hope that springs eternal! I told him I was glad of his appointment, for I considered him to be the only man who could save Russia.

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Nicholas II

The weather remained overcast and rainy. The lighting in the rooms was poor, and the boredom in the rooms was incredible. While playing with Marie I regularly won at backgammon. It is really like a poor bezik. I walked for an hour and. a half during the day. We had to wait for dinner from eight to nine o'clock. The electric lighting is fixed in the dining room, but in the hall it is not yet fixed.

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17 May

Trotsky arrives in Petrograd

Admiral Kolchak is convinced that disaster is inevitable

“Our nation is pitiful; never has there been such an open betrayal anywhere”

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in Petrograd

in Moscow