How historical memory affects our present

About how you will respond for getting the government grants, public reaction and the power of historical memory

On the morning of 22 August, the staff of the Investigative Committee has arrested the director Kirill Serebrennikov, perhaps known to the international community for the direction of films, such as "The student", "Betrayal" and others. Now Kirill Serebrennikov is an authentic artistic Director of the Moscow theater "Gogol-center". In a nutshell - director Serebrennikov accused of stealing 68 million rubles (about 1, 13$ billion), which the state has allocated the organization of the "Seventh Studio" as the state subsidies for the production of the play. However, all is not so simple: in 2010 it was about subsidies in the amount of 200 million rubles, which over the next four years had to go on the development and promotion of art.

In the criminal case it is said that three staff members (including Serebrennikov) cashed 68$ billion, which were dedicated to theatrical performances. The history of the litigation is not new: in the early summer Serebrennikov was called in for interrogation, but questioning the Director came out to witness. According to the investigation, the theatrical production of "a Midsummer night's Dream" (the money were given for this play) was not staged at all. However, the farce of law-enforcement authorities, at least, puzzling – the play was performed at several stages and еhe proof is many publications in social media of real viewers. In a long (almost) three months, the investigative Committee asked for interrogation three other members – the guilt was admitted partially.

Two days later, in front of the Basmanniy court reporters, journalists, compassionates and Moscow (not only) intellectuals are stating to let Serebrennikov go. Russian intelligentsia is ready to vouch for the Serebrennikov, sacrificing their hard-earned money – of course, for the sake of the art.
The one who is ever faced with the state support in Russia, knows that is a slippery slope with pitfalls. On the one hand, to do big business without a lot of money – a waste of time, and on the other hand, the inflow of foreign investment in Russia dropped sharply, and without joining in the fight for tenders here you can not earn a lot. For Russian companies this practice is very new, and it is sharply different from the developed countries. Not to be unfounded, I will result some examples: in 2015 was arrested the former head of the property relations Department Yevgeniya Vasilyeva for the misappropriation of more than 260 million rubles, a year later – the head of the company "RK Stroy" Marat Oganesyan, and this year was arrested economy Minister Ulyukayev during receiving a bribe. So, Russia still divided into two camps – either officials or big businessmen, in the assignment of companies to which the state is interested. The punishments are divided, too – if you are at the mercy of the authorities or standing close to it, there is a big chance that the punishment will be lax – house arrest or less. Much less lucky entrepreneurs, the criminal case which immediately comes under article 159 paragraph 4, and can be put behind bars for up to ten years. I don’t want to get to the law issues – this is lawyers jurisdiction. As for me, its more interesting to see the public reaction and “cushion troops”, which were vividly expressed in all social networks about who is guilty and who is not. Talking about the guiltiness is a stupid idea: many details are unknown, while the binding strings are tangled. In a free democratic society where the court is honest, the court should be guided by the presumption of innocence: "the accused is innocent until proven otherwise." But in Russia everything is different: acquittals almost not made, and about the veracity of the court is debatable. However, human judgment is totally different, and in the vastness of Facebook, Twitter and instagram – it's always interesting to watch how public reacts. I have came with the following pattern: when it comes to the fault of the entrepreneurs, then the Russian people are fully convinced that man, of course, is guilty. The question of the absurdity of the charges does not rise at all. But when we are talking about people of art and their fault – in most cases it causes the opposite reaction, because who else (?) will raise modern culture and fight for it. If you think that I doubt of the innocence Serebrennikov – no, I don't want to judge. But, honestly, who said that he has not taken money? Here comes into force the other two other Russian belief. The first is the political background. Serebrennikov is famous for the political issues and life realities that are put in plays, where there is relevant criticism of the current government. For this reason, Russian people look at Serebrennikov compassionately – in their eyes he is a dissident.

Besides, talking about the case against the Serebrennikov it is popular to mention Vsevolod Meyerhold – soviet theatre director. He was arrested 78 years ago, in 1939, in Leningrad. After a long interrogation and torture condemned for counter-revolutionary activities and executed. After 15 years, Meyerhold rehabilitated, admitting that he had committed no crime. Uunfortunately, he was not the first nor the last artist to be convicted on false charges. Report of the repressed speaks for itself. Russian people sympathize with the regret and remember the terrible years of the Great terror. However, don't we lose the objectivity of judgment now - in sympathy or in blaming?