Nestor Makhno in the Culture of Remembrance of Modern Ukraine
This extensive article by Aleksander Łaniewski (translated into English by Sean Patterson and Malcolm Archibald) features interviews with five researchers and anarchists in Ukraine, analysing the contours of contemporary remembrance of Nestor Ivanovych Makhno.
The symbolism of Makhno is contested – evolving from previous casting as a ‘common bandit’, to now having streets, commemorative coins, army divisions, statues and bars named for him. Are these statist and commercial usages of Makhno’s memory borne of sincere interest? Or are they exploitative distortions? Does ‘Makhnovist tourism’ give a welcome boost to this important historical figure? Or does it do a disservice to the Makhnovshchina’s ideas?
Of course, the current context of war sharpens questions like: ‘Which side would Makhno be fighting on today?’ And, in a grim reminder of the brutality of that war, one of the respondents in this article, Yurii Kravets, is currently missing in action on the frontlines. Our solidarity goes out to Yurii’s friends and family.
Read the full article here:
Nestor Makhno in the Culture of Remembrance of Modern Ukraine
