BajaNomad - The World, Including Baja, Lost a Great Man Today

The World, Including Baja, Lost a Great Man Today

Gypsy Jan - 8-3-2008 at 07:01 PM

The Gulag Archipelago author Alexander Solzhenitsyn died today at the age of 89. "The Nobel laureate and former dissident died of heart failure at 11:45 pm (1945 GMT), the writer's son said, according to the [Itar-Tass news] agency. Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1970 after writing harrowing works about the Soviet Union's system of labour camps. He was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1974, thereby becoming Cold War icon. He wrote about life in the Gulag with harrowing detail in his most celebrated works: 'One Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich', 'The First Circle' and 'The Gulag Archipelago'."

After leaving the Soviet Union, he lived in Germany, Switzerland and the United States before returning to Russia in 1994.
Since his return, Solzhenitsyn has been critical of both the West and of Russia's post-Soviet evolution, calling for a return to traditional moral values.

In June last year, then Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Solzhenitsyn with the State Prize, Russia's highest honour, praising his devotion to the "fatherland" in a lavish ceremony at the Kremlin.

Solzhenitsyn's wife Natalya accepted the award on behalf of her husband, who was unable to attend the ceremony.

Speaking via a pre-recorded video message, Solzhenitsyn said he was "flattered by the attention to my work brought by this Russian State Prize."

"Until the end of my life I can hope that the historical material... collected by me and presented to my readers, enters the consciousness and memory of my fellow countrymen," he said.

"Our bitter national experience can yet help us in a possible repeat of unstable social conditions, it will warn us and ward us from destructive break-downs."

A complete edition of Solzhenitsyn's works, including unpublished writings, began to be published in 2006, with the last volume due out in 2010. His wife said at the time she did not expect her husband to live to see the last edition.

[Edited on 8-4-2008 by Gypsy Jan]

Very clever

thebajarunner - 8-3-2008 at 08:19 PM

I have seen many strategies toward avoiding the dreaded
"cast into the off-topic bin"
but this one may be the topper.

Adding "Baja" to your description simply defies any stretch of the imagination.....

And yes, he was a great man,
but "Baja" related....

hmmmmmmmmm

Baja Runner, I Apologize

Gypsy Jan - 8-3-2008 at 08:36 PM

If you are offended by my posting in the General Baja Discussion Board.

I looked for the Off-Topic listing, and couldn't find it.

But, I see very strong connections in Solzhenitsyn's descriptions of political oppression/incompetence as it relates to Mexico's and Baja's struggle with with it's own violence and corruption.

I have no problem with Doug moving my post to another forum if he decides that is the approriate action to take.

Not offended, and fully agree

thebajarunner - 8-3-2008 at 10:12 PM

My response was, at least an attempt, at tongue in cheek.

But, subtle touches remain a rare and endagered species on this board, as was just pointed out.

Lately far too many trolls, nasties, off the topics, etc.

Oh, and don't forget the "Thread Thieves"
A thriving and seemingly endless effort among some.

And, as I previously said, he was surely a great man,
I can remember reading "One Day in the Life of Ivan Donezivitch" (too lazy to look up the correct spelling, but since it would properly be expressed in Cryllic not a great error) right after it came out, and it was oh so troubling, yet so expressive of life in the Soviet Union.

thebajarunner - 8-4-2008 at 08:01 AM

The morning NYTimes says it is spelled Denisovich,
what do I know from Russian...

CaboRon - 8-4-2008 at 11:12 AM

The Gulag Archipelego really made me realize that the United States of America is a truly great country ...

DENNIS - 8-4-2008 at 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
I looked for the Off-Topic listing, and couldn't find it.

Not only is this thread a fitting tribute to a man of men but, a tribute to the character of Gypsy Jan as well. Four and a half years on Nomad and she doesn't know how to get into Off Topic.

CaboRon - 8-4-2008 at 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
I looked for the Off-Topic listing, and couldn't find it.

Not only is this thread a fitting tribute to a man of men but, a tribute to the character of Gypsy Jan as well. Four and a half years on Nomad and she doesn't know how to get into Off Topic.

Aww Shucks

Gypsy Jan - 8-4-2008 at 03:19 PM

(Blushing, too.)

[Edited on 8-5-2008 by Gypsy Jan]

You ain't missed much (off-topic)

thebajarunner - 8-4-2008 at 07:26 PM

Went there once,
reminded me of the time I got a tour of our local sewer farm,
once was enough

I don't know how to get there either,
and I am probably a better person for it...

CaboRon - 8-4-2008 at 08:11 PM

Come To The Dark Side .... Stepford Is A Wonderfull Place :lol: