Ivan Zhaba: Russian Superman

A major installation artwork by Alexander Shaburov engaged with the Western Superhero genre through a multimedia hagiography of a Russian superman.

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The Black Series from Vagrius

The book series “Contemporary Russian Prose” or the “Black Series,” published by Vagrius—one of post-Soviet Russia’s most successful commercial publishers—made bestsellers out of literary prose.

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Vladimir Putin's 1999 Vision for Russia

Just before assuming the presidency, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin published an essay that outlined his vision for Russia. He saw it as a post-industrial society that could successfully integrate into the new world order only with a strong central government.

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Interview with Victor Pelevin

After the launch of Victor Pelevin’s hit novel “Generation P” in 1999, the author set out on a publicity tour in which he behaved as poorly as his own protagonist, Vavilen Tatarsky. And much like his protagonist, he proved that, in post-Soviet Russia, bad behavior sells.

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Chumak sends morning healing vibes to perestroika-era audiences

A 1989 healing session with TV psychic Allan Chumak (1935-2017) taking place during the morning newscast “120 Minutes.” Chumak alleged that his techniques worked not only on people themselves, but also on their drinking water and moisturizing products.

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Kino’s last concert (Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow)

Footage of a live Kino concert at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on June 24, 1990, roughly a month and half prior to frontman Viktor Tsoi's death in a car accident in rural Latvia. The footage shows the band at the very height of its popularity, as well as offering an unencumbered look at a country in transition: a heavy and conspicuous Soviet police detail is assigned to the event, while audience members wave both the Soviet flag and the Russian tricolor banner.

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