28 August 1917. Anna Akhmatova → Nikolay Gumilyov

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

Anna Akhmatova Nikolay Gumilyov

Slepnevo village, Russian Empire

My dear Kolya,

Mother has finally received your letter from Paris. I am happy that you are staying in France. I think I don’t have to describe how badly I want to come to you. I beg you - try to arrange it, show me that yiu are my friend.

I am in good health, very bored in the countryside, I dread winter. My book is finally out, but I haven’t gotten it yet. Neither have I gotten any letters from you, what a shame!
I don’t know anything about our friends: the post barely works. I have been writing a lot, and I don’t like anything I’ve written.
It’s so strange to reminisce: in winter 1907 you asked me to come to Paris in every letter, and now I don’t even know if you want to see me at all. Please know: I do remember you, I love you and I’m always sad without you. I watch wistfully everything that is happening in Russia. God is punishing our country.
Don’t forget me, my dear. Write to me.
Always yours,
Anna

Our son is very sweet and well-behaved. He resembles you very closely.

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Nicholas II

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Elizaveta Kuzmina-Karavaeva

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From the three sides of the abyss: ahead—the victorious procession of Emperor Wilhelm towards unresisting Russia; to the right—return to the old, general on a white horse, who suffocates life in the name of victory; to the left—the insurrection of the Bolsheviks, anarchy, sea of unnecessary blood, the destruction of Russia and the Revolution.

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Boris Pasternak

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27 August

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+17

in Petrograd

+17

in Moscow