IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author): “Information on the Literary Gazette, including information on who publishes it and the names of contributing writers [RUS13762]”, Document #1209307

Information on the Literary Gazette, including information on who publishes it and the names of contributing writers [RUS13762]

The Literary Gazette [Literaturnaya gazeta] is reportedly an independent, liberal weekly newspaper based in Moscow (Europa 1992 1992, 2815; Inter Press Service 29 May 1992; Los Angeles Times 26 Oct. 1990; RFE/RL 20 Dec. 1991, 9; Helsinki Watch April 1991, 7). The paper was formerly associated with the USSR Writers' Union, but amid some controversy, it established itself as independent in late 1990 (Current Digest 23 Oct. 1991; Los Angeles Times 26 Oct. 1990; Russian Press Digest 23 Nov. 1990; Helsinki Watch April 1991, 7; RFE/RL 24 May 1991, 8).

Articles from Europa and a report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty indicate that as with other major newspapers in the former Soviet republics, circulation of the Literary Gazette has dropped significantly over the past few years (Europa 1992 1992, 2815; Europa 1991 1991, 2706; Europa 1990 1990, 2613; RFE/RL 2 Oct. 1992.).

According to Europa 1992, the editor-in-chief of the Literary Gazette is Arkady Udaltsov (1992, 2815). Europa 1990 and 1991 state that Fyodor Burlatsky was editor-in-chief (Europa 1991, 2706; Europa 1990, 2613). An article from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty indicates that Burlatsky was replaced by Udaltsov (Udal'tsov) in September 1991 (11 Oct. 1991, 24). This article also notes that the newspaper was banned by the self-proclaimed Emergency Committee that attempted a coup in the Soviet Union in August 1991 (Ibid.).

The attached documents indicate that the following people were on staff or contributed articles to the Literary Gazette over the past few years:

Abuarbek Turlybekovich Alimzhanov (Current Digest 4 Dec. 1991);

Fyodor Burlatsky (Helsinki Watch Feb. 1990, 23)

Sergei Kiselyov (23 Oct. 1991);

Roman Sontsev (11 Dec. 1991);

Mikhail Uspensky (Current Digest 11 Dec. 1991).

Please see the attached documents for further details on these individuals. Additional names of contributors to the newspaper are not currently available to the DIRB.

Information on who publishes the Literary Gazette also is not currently available to the DIRB. However, according to an article by Sergei Kiselyov, the paper's former publishing house at 30 Tsvetnoi Boulevard was taken away when the newspaper became independent (Current Digest 23 Oct. 1991).

Please consult the attached excerpts for further information on this topic. Please note as well a 1990 article from the Whole Earth Review that provides information on the Literary Gazette International. Additional information on this topic is not currently available to the DIRB; however, information on the Writers Union can be researched upon further request.

References

Current Digest of the Soviet Press. 11 December 1991. Roman Solntsev. "The Writer and Society: Not an 'Alternative' Union, A Different One." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 December 1991. "The News of the Week." (NEXIS)

_____. 23 October 1991. Sergei Kiselyov. "Russian Nationalists' Response After Coup." (NEXIS)

The Europa World Year Book 1992. 1992. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

The Europa World Year Book 1991. 1991. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

The Europa World Year Book 1990. 1990. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Ltd.

Helsinki Watch. April 1991. Glasnost in Jeopardy: Human Rights in the USSR. New York: Human Rights Watch.

_____. February 1990. Nyeformaly: Civil Society in the USSR. New York: U.S. Helsinki Watch Committee.

Inter Press Service. 29 May 1992. Betsy McKay. "Russia: Art and Politics Find Place in Property Dispute." (NEXIS)

Los Angeles Times. 26 October 1990. Home Edition. Elizabeth Shogren. "Media/Takeover Battle; Press Freedom, Soviet-Style." (NEXIS)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 2 October 1992. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 39. Vera Tolz. "Russia."

_____. 20 December 1991. Report on the USSR [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 51/52. Julia Wishnevsky. "Cultural Politics in 1991."

_____. 11 October 1991. Report on the USSR [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 41. Vera Tolz. "Recent Developments in the Soviet and Baltic Media."

_____. 24 May 1991. Report on the USSR [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 21. Vera Tolz. "Alternative Press in the USSR."

_____. 10 May 1991. Report on the USSR [Munich]. Vol. 3, No. 19. Vera Tolz. "Recent Developments in the Soviet and Baltic Media."

Russian Press Digest. 23 November 1990. L. Perkina. "Troubled Days in the Writers' Camp." (NEXIS)

Whole Earth Review [Sausilito CA]. 22 September 1990. Jay Kinney. "Access to Soviet Magazines." (NEXIS)

Attachments