About the book: 2023 / “The traditional task of the empire is to educate its subjects in constant humiliation, ignorance, beatings and lack of will,” wrote the great Russian artist Ilya Efimovich Repin (1844 –1930) at the beginning of the last century. “It’s dark everywhere, very dark... It’s difficult for the light to break through into this darkness of administrative ignorance and stupid pressure that attacks every bright thought, stigmatizing every free speech.” Coming from the very bottom of society, Repin knew Russian life well, its bright and dark sides. In his notes, letters, and memoirs included in this book, he wrote about the greatness of the Russian people, about service to the Motherland and the sacrifice of its best representatives - but, at the same time, about “the reptiles of obscurantism, the minions of the vile oppressors” and “the brutalized slaves who are only capable of predation and sycophancy.” “More light!” - Repin called. He was sure that Russia would still stir up, “when a new offspring of strong people appears here, with new demands of figures.” The publishing layout is saved in a4.pdf format.