Processo alla Russia

The fascinating story of a magnificent and controversial country.

In 1843, a book called Russia in 1839 was published in Brussels, written by a French aristocrat, the Marquis de Custine. It was a portrayal of the political and social practices of the tsarist empire and had considerable success, and not only in Belgium and France, at a time when, following the Napoleonic wars, Russia had become a world power. According to Custine, this great country was also a government that contained vestiges of many traits of the feudal era: autocracy, serfdom, enormous wealth and grinding poverty, widespread illiteracy and arbitrary law. In the decades that followed, Russia became increasingly large and powerful, although the description made by Custine survived in European public opinion. The tenacity and heroism of the Red Army in the war against Nazi Germany benefited Russia’s image in the world, but not so much that it spared the Soviet power from being perceived as a possible threat during the Cold War. The Cold War ended a long time ago but anti-Russian feelings and fears live on. The country seen by the West as the most alien to its principles and rules is also one that, even though it views itself as heir to the Byzantine Empire, has tried to imitate Europe the most. Then why do we continue to consider Russia as an alien country, different from and in opposition to “us” Europeans? What is it that makes Europe see Russia as a separate, enemy civilisation? Sergio Romano explains this paradox with a fascinating story that travels across the entire, great and impetuous history of Russia.