For August 2002, we have chosen...

The Face of Russia

"The Russian people are an enigma to most of us. Yet only by knowing their past can we understand their hopes and fears. Only by entering into their art can we grasp the temperature which will forge their future...and ours."--James H. Billington.

A great overview of Russian culture is “The Face of Russia : Anguish, Aspiration, and Achievement in Russian Culture” by James H. Billington, renowned Russian scholar and the Librarian of Congress. This is a true multi-media work in three formats: a web site, a three hour video series and a 260 page book.

“The Face of Russia” reveals beautiful works of Russian art, from ancient icon paintings to magnificent architecture, literature, and cinema rarely seen by Western eyes. More than this, though, it shows how Russian art and culture have throughout history reflected the soul of the Russian people and continues to define the Russian experience. Political, social, and spiritual themes heavily influence Russian art, and in turn these artistic offerings have had profound effects on the way Russia sees itself. Now that Russia has reached yet another turning point on its turbulent road to stability, the question seems to be how its art and culture will respond to the fading of communism and the freedom of expression that comes with democracy.

Mr. Billington suggests that the changes will show, as upheaval in Russia has always shown, the resilience of Russia's artistic community and its determination to find and express its voice to the world. Mr. Billington also believes that Russia is very quick to adopt new forms of artistic expression (opera, film, novels) and quickly produce works as brilliant as any created in other countries. Broad in scope and enlightening in its study of historical and current art trends, this series is a must-see for anyone interested in the Russian culture--it's a work that future generations will surely revisit for its insightful perspective.

For more information

The Face of Russia Web site www.pbs.org/weta/faceofrussia/intro.html

For further information on “The Face of Russia” book, including excerpts and ordering information, click on the image below:



For further information on “The Face of Russia” video series, including ordering information, click on the image below:



For a brief biography of James H. Billington, go to www.loc.gov/bicentennial/bios/preserve/billington.html