19 August 1917. Fyodor Raskolnikov

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

Fyodor Raskolnikov

Kresty Prison, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Someone sent us flowers in prison, and Semyon racked his brains until evening, losing himself in romantic speculation. And the next day, Roshal and I were summoned to the prison guard office, where a girl from some organization like the political Red Cross was waiting for us.

After introducing herself as the anarchist Yekaterina Smirnova, she handed us an entire mound of black bread and said that she had been trying to meet us since yesterday, but hadn’t received a pass. The secret of the mysterious bouquet revealed itself.

One of the first questions Smirnov bombarded us with was about provisions:

"Would you like some oranges?" I can bring you some.

“Why so?” we replied. "All giving is good in prison."

"But I have special oranges," Smirnova said mysteriously, looking at me with her bright, almost colorless eyes.

We were without a doubt talking about bombs. But since we didn’t prepare for an escape, we certainly didn’t need black “oranges.” I had to thank and refuse the kind offer of "fruit". Smirnova was sincerely disappointed. In her eyes, this proposal was so natural, and the refusal was incomprehensible.

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Elizaveta Naryshkina

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

I spent the morning in the garden, where I met with some officers. All of them were mad with rage and spoke openly of restoring the monarchy in the person of Aleksey Nikolaevich. I advised them to be careful with their tongues.

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Alexandra Feodorovna

Tobolsk, Russian Empire

A little after 9 we left the Tura and entered the Tobol. We stopped twice to take on food and fuel. On one of these occasions the children went for a walk in the woods. I rose at around 3 as my cabin was very hot. After 6 we arrived at Tobolsk-on-Irtish. See more

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Nicholas II

Tobolsk, Russian Empire

We navigated toward the Tobol. I got up late because I did not sleep very well with all the pounding and stopping. During the night we went from the Tura to the Tobol. See more

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Alexandra Kollontai

Vyborg female convict prison, Vyborg side, Russian Empire

I have a cellmate. An American woman. A dancer. Suspected of espionage. She's a noisy, demanding person. She "fights" with the prison guards via a translator. She brings "prison inspection" upon herself. See more

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Edvard Munch

is working on "Two models"

Ekely estate, Norway

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Grigory Zinoviev

Sestroretskiy spill, Sestroretsk, Petrograd, Russian Empire

I keep recalling those memorable days and nights. A cold, starry night. The smell of freshly mown hay. A cloud of smoke from the little bonfire where we brewed tea in a big kettle. Strolling with Vladimir Ilyich. See more

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18 August

"I always hated the Tsar, doing everything I could to contribute to his removal"

"Aleksey and Tatyana gathered flowers on the bank of the river"

The Tsar’s family passes Rasputin’s home village

1916: Year in Review.

+19

in Petrograd

+18

in Moscow