4 July 1917. Vladimir Paley

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

Pashkovsky lane, 2, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

What a dreadful, difficult time! We all live on rumors, assumptions, hopes - and memories. There is nothing definite, nothing constant, everyone is perplexed and confused. Essentially, no one knows what they want and everyone is afraid of what others want. There is a lull in Petrograd, but the mood is quite strung - a scent of blood is in the air. The city is indescribably dirty. Turmoil, unrest, anarchy. In a word - revolution…

The offensive has begun - but in what way! We suffer great losses, mostly among officers and volunteers. During this war 60% of officers were killed, and less of soldiers - 40%.

It is funny how everyone remained, in essence, true to themselves: scoundrels have proven to be scoundrels, cowards have remained cowards, valiants are still valiants. Impudence is growing. Like a rotten tree it spreads its stinking branches and catches on everything. Even the most humane soul has to admit that Russia cannot live without a stick. She needs police, not freedom. Revolution has ruined itself - it is already laughable. If a Tsar comes, he will be very strict.

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Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

The rain had stopped before my morning walk, and at 3 o'clock the weather cleared up. Until dinner I gave Alexis a history lesson. We worked In the park, and Alix was there sitting in her chair. I finished Julian; I liked it. See more

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Nikolai Bukharin

Moscow, Russian Empire

“Tell me how you feel about the war, and I will tell you what kind of person you are” is an axiom which can be applied to all who call themselves socialists, and not only to individuals, but even to whole parties. See more

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Sofia Tolstaya

Yasnaya Pol'yana, Tul'skaya guberniya, Russian Empire

I spend my days idly and aimlessly. Now I'm too old for household duties. I lack strength and my perception is negligible. Newspapers write about the 10,000 prisoners, about the battles - but it does not please me, I'm upset about people's suffering...

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Alexandra Kollontai

Kollontai's rented flat, Peski, Petrograd, Russian Empire

The laundry girls, the bakers and the domestic servants have gone on strike. The party has sent me to direct the striking laundry girls. These girls, who work in private enterprises, are not backing down. They are calling for greater pay, a fixed working day and the municipalisation of their enterprises. They show no sign of being “retrograde elements” of the proletariat; they are highly-organised and capable. See more

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Alexander Blok

57, Ofitserskaya street, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Do we have the right to fear our great, clever and kind people?

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Alexandre Benois

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Newspapers brought us news that the offensive had begun. I met this dreadful news with a stupid indifference, without anger and despair. In recent weeks, everything in me has worn out, changed and faded. If you want to die, so die!

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