Maxim Zamshev stood up for the departed cultural figures

On June 17, director Konstantin Bogomolov called on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to give a chance to cultural figures who left Russia to return “and work for the good of their country.” Poet, prose writer, editor-in-chief of Literaturnaya Gazeta Maxim Zamshev supported Bogomolov in his personal telegram channel, noting that readers and viewers should decide for themselves how to treat former emigrants, and “a protracted split is killing culture.” In an interview with the MK correspondent, the writer clarified his position.

– By supporting Bogomolov and his call to give those who left a chance, do you realize that they will be criticized both from the “left” and “right”?

— I think that there are several important aspects to this problem. The main thing is that the idea of ​​returning to “support” or “not support” is not necessary. It is not forbidden by law for us to return to those who left after February 24, 2022. And I am proud of our state that it is not moving in the direction of this ban. It is also important to remember that public relations are concrete steps taken by certain institutions. Why do I think that we should not scare away those who want to return and work for the good of the Motherland?

— Let’s imagine a hypothetical criticism from the position of the supporters of the NWO and the president.

Well, firstly, I am sure that among my like-minded people there are many smart people who are not striving to return to a model similar to Stalinist repressions. Secondly, of course, both the individual approach and the state of society as a whole are paramount here. There are conscious enemies who understand everything and at the same time constantly make statements insulting Russia and our citizens. I repeat, not one-time, under the influence of emotions, but purposefully and systematically work on the deceitful propaganda machine of the enemy. Such as Polozkova, Rodnyansky*, Kozyrev*, Galkin* and others. There is no mention of such figures in any context. These are both human and creative degradants. Of course, they can theoretically return, but in this case I do not envy them. Yes, and they are cowardly, so it is hardly worth waiting for them in their favorite Jean-Jacques in the near future. But there are artists who have been influenced by someone, emotions, people who love Russia and are ready to work for its culture. Those should be given a chance. If some of the patriots allow complete intransigence here, this is their right. But this position annoys me. She is narrow-minded. I am not afraid of criticism, it will always be. If we remain a state where democracy and freedom of speech are not an empty phrase, then there is no other way to treat criticism.

– We figured out the patriots, but what will the liberals say?

– Let’s imagine a blasphemy from the opposite camp, they say, “who is Zamshev to talk about this? All our liberals are holy fighters against totalitarianism. Hands off them!” The intransigence of this part of society is well known, and it completely refutes the very idea of ​​liberalism. Critics from this side are of little interest to me. This is a hysterical marginal opposition, one can only laugh at it or sympathize with the state of their psyche.

– What is the essence of your proposal? What is the specific mechanism of “repatriation”, what role should the state play in it?

– Everything that can serve the development of Russian culture should not be given to the enemy. How many brains have flown over the years … The state can hardly do anything special. Everything is written in the laws. But the leaders of public opinion may well create such a climate that the scoundrels will not even think about returning, and those who admitted their emotional wrong, who did not slander the army and the state, those who want to write for the Russian reader, stage for the Russian audience, shoot for Russian viewer should not be repulsed. You have to be sensitive. Some will say that they will come, hide, and then again begin to harm, confuse people. Well, that’s what a strong civil society is for to avoid this. But it is impossible in culture to create artificial preferences for one, and to show others shish with butter. We have the smartest people, they will figure it out. Just give all creators equal opportunities to come to the people.

– Let’s say a certain figure who left, allowed himself harsh statements about the Russian Federation, something in the spirit of “a poor gas station”, but did not say anything about an article about discrediting the Russian army. In which case amnesty is possible?

Amnesty is a legal issue. The question of each individual administrative proceeding. In some cases, it is probably possible. But it is important that no one regulates this except for the law.

– Whom of those who are now abroad do you consider the main loss for Russian literature, cinema, theater?

– I’m sorry that Yuri Butusov doesn’t stage with us. On the other hand, it’s great that next year the Moscow Art Theater is scheduled to premiere a play by Anatoly Vasiliev, who worked in France for a long time. It is incredibly significant that he accepted the invitation of the theater at this particular time. Great artist.

As for writers, everyone who interests me is available for reading. Rather, it is a pity that not all foreign publishers are now selling us the rights. But this, I have no doubt, will not last long – we will still read it. The mind must return to the European cultural elite.

— During the years of the existence of the Soviet Union, we experienced a literary split, when almost the majority of Russian literature was created there, and if it was created here, it was not published for decades. By proposing a return to emigrants today, are you trying to prevent a new division?

– A return to the cultural practice of the USSR is impossible, and it is not necessary. Today there is no such mutual impenetrability. And I hope that a split of this magnitude will not happen, and even among the people who left the scale of Bunin, Rachmaninoff, Gazdanov, there is not even close. I want to believe that everything that is most valuable in Russian culture will remain accessible to our people and will not be banned. Yes, these are difficult times. But we must think about the future. Nothing will end on the battlefield. Then we must build a strong, happy and rich country. And a free, contradictory and polyphonic culture is a necessary part of this process.

*Recognized as foreign agents by decision of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.