Russian Entrepreneurs and Activists Working to Ensure Books Banned by Moscow Reach Readers

Paul Goble

            Staunton, July 3 – Like so many other cases of Kremlin actions, Moscow’s book bans are not working nearly as effectively as the authorities would like thanks to the work of underground entrepreneurs and activists who are selling originals or copies online, according to Ivan Smurov.

            The Vyorstka journalist says some of those involved in reselling texts taken off the shelves of bookdealers are doing it for the money while others are people committed to ensuring that Russian readers can get what they want (verstka.media/kak-iz-za-zapretov-v-rossii-poyavilas-industriya-podpolnoj-literatury).

            In a 5500-word article, Smurov says that some of the books offered are given new titles at least in the ads and at high prices which make those who engage in such practices reaping high incomes with little effort; and he notes that reprints and copies typed into internet formats are often filled with errors. Others are involved because they believe people should have the right to read what they want.  

            In some ways, this new market builds on the traditions of samizdat and especially tamizdat and even intersects with the latter; but in others, it is simply an example of the way in which clever entrepreneurs and activists can outwit the authorities, who often believe that banning the sale of books in bookstores is sufficient.

            It isn’t. While many Russians now can’t get the books they want easily, Smurov shows in case after case how those who are interested and committed to doing so can continue to do so – and are thus influenced by the reading of works the powers that be in Putin’s Russia  don’t want them to be.