Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966) is regarded as one of the greatest Russian poets, whose work transcended the tumultuous landscapes of pre-revolutionary Russia and the Soviet era. According to the Poetry Foundation, her poetry "protected the traditions of classical Russian culture from the onslaught of avant-garde radicalism and formal experimentation, as well as from the suffocating ideological strictures of socialist realism."
In mid-October, Marjorie Agosin, a professor at Wellesley College, poet, human rights activist, and literary critic, delivered a compelling talk on Akhmatova's life and work. This event was part of a series commemorating the centenary of the Russian Revolution, jointly organized by the Santiago Center and local universities, including Católica de Valparaíso, Católica de Chile, and Universidad de Chile. During her presentation, Agosin read several of Akhmatova’s poems, explored her early work alongside the writings from the Stalin years, and discussed the poet's tumultuous personal life. She also screened the documentary Fear and the Muse: The Story of Anna Akhmatova (Jill Janows, 1991), offering further insights into Akhmatova's profound impact on Russian literature.
The series commemorating the Russian Revolution will continue with a lecture by Columbia University History Professor Catherine Evtuhov, titled “Was there a Russian Revolution in 2017? A View of Russia’s Imperial Period,” scheduled for November 22.
