Zhizn
Encyclopedia
Zhizn was a Russian magazine published first in Saint Petersburg
(1897-1901), then in London
and Geneva
(1902).
Zhizn began its existence as a general purpose magazine in January 1897. For the first two years it was edited, at various times, by S. V. Voejkov, D. M. Ostafyev, M. V. Kalitin, and M. S. Ermolaev and was published three times a month. In early 1899, the magazine was taken over by the socialist journalist Vladimir Posse
, who changed the magazine to a monthly in April 1899. Although at first Posse stood between Marxists and narodniks (populists), he converted Zhizn into a flagship Legal Marxist publication after the suppression of the Legal Marxists' magazine Nachalo
in June 1899.
The magazine's editorial policy was largely under the control of Peter Struve and Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky
, two leaders of the Legal Marxists. Like Nachalo, Zhizn was supportive of Eduard Bernstein
's revision of Marxism and its editors were on the verge of moving from Marxism to liberalism
, but the magazine continued to publish articles by revolutionary Marxists like Vladimir Lenin
. Maxim Gorky
, a friend of Posse's, served as the editor of the magazine's literary section and Anton Chekhov
's famous story "In the Ravine" in January 1900. Other writers like Vikenty Veresayev
contributed to the magazine as well .
At first the government assigned the notorious censor Elagin to Zhizn, who banned two thirds of the content, but then a new censor, Vorshev, was assigned, who took a hands off approach:
The magazine was, in effect, self-censored for three or four months, but eventually the government reinstated Elagin and censorship problems returned. The government finally closed the magazine down in April 1901 when it found out about revolutionary socialists (supposedly Boris Savinkov
, Gariushin and Tatarov) using the magazine's offices for their secret meetings .
Later in 1901 Posse moved to Ireland
and then to London and began looking for a way to resume publication of the magazine, this time free of censorship. Although Ariadna Tyrkova-Williams
(then Ariadna Borman)'s mission to Gorky, who was living in exile in Yalta
at the time, in November 1901 proved unsuccessful , Posse eventually formed the "Zhizn Social-Democratic Group" with V. D. Velichkina and Vladimir Bonch-Bruevich
, who provided financial and distribution support. The group published another 5 issues of Zhizn in London between April and August 1902. The last issue, "September-December 1902", was published in Geneva in December 1902 . This foreign-published version of Zhizn was increasingly opposed to the more radical version of Marxism espoused by Georgy Plekhanov, Lenin and other supporters of the rival social democratic newspapers Iskra
and Zarya.
Twelve issues of a companion magazine, Listki Zhizni (Life Leaflets) were published by Posse (as "F. Rosin") in London between May 15, 1902 (Gregorian calendar
) and December 12, 1902 as a "non-factional Social-Democratic organ". Several volumes in an irregular "Zhizn Library" series were also published in 1902.
The "Zhizn Social-Democratic Group" ceased to exist and publication stopped when Bonch-Bruevich had a falling out with Posse and left the group, joining Iskra and taking his distribution network with him . Bonch-Bruevich also transferred 19 manuscripts from Zhizn' s portfolio to Iskra against the wishes of the "Zhizn Social-Democratic Group", which caused a controversy in early 1903 .
Presently, the Zhizn is regarded as a tabloid and a typical "yellow press". The newspaper is often providing gossip, scandals and questionable facts.
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
(1897-1901), then in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
(1902).
Zhizn began its existence as a general purpose magazine in January 1897. For the first two years it was edited, at various times, by S. V. Voejkov, D. M. Ostafyev, M. V. Kalitin, and M. S. Ermolaev and was published three times a month. In early 1899, the magazine was taken over by the socialist journalist Vladimir Posse
Vladimir Posse
Vladimir Aleksandrovich Posse was a Russian socialist journalist and editor who typically signed his articles V. A. Posse....
, who changed the magazine to a monthly in April 1899. Although at first Posse stood between Marxists and narodniks (populists), he converted Zhizn into a flagship Legal Marxist publication after the suppression of the Legal Marxists' magazine Nachalo
Nachalo
Nachalo was a Russian Marxist monthly magazine published in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1899.-Origins:When Novoye Slovo, the flagship magazine of the Saint Petersburg-based Legal Marxists, was suppressed by the Czarist government in December 1897, their leaders began planning a new magazine...
in June 1899.
The magazine's editorial policy was largely under the control of Peter Struve and Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky
Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky
Mikhail Ivanovich Tugan-Baranovsky or Myhaylo Tuhan-Baranovsky was the Ukrainian politician, statesman, and a noted Russian-Ukrainian economist, a tutor of Nikolai Kondratiev...
, two leaders of the Legal Marxists. Like Nachalo, Zhizn was supportive of Eduard Bernstein
Eduard Bernstein
Eduard Bernstein was a German social democratic theoretician and politician, a member of the SPD, and the founder of evolutionary socialism and revisionism.- Life :...
's revision of Marxism and its editors were on the verge of moving from Marxism to liberalism
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
, but the magazine continued to publish articles by revolutionary Marxists like Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Lenin
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was a Russian Marxist revolutionary and communist politician who led the October Revolution of 1917. As leader of the Bolsheviks, he headed the Soviet state during its initial years , as it fought to establish control of Russia in the Russian Civil War and worked to create a...
. Maxim Gorky
Maxim Gorky
Alexei Maximovich Peshkov , primarily known as Maxim Gorky , was a Russian and Soviet author, a founder of the Socialist Realism literary method and a political activist.-Early years:...
, a friend of Posse's, served as the editor of the magazine's literary section and Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
's famous story "In the Ravine" in January 1900. Other writers like Vikenty Veresayev
Vikenty Veresayev
Vikenty Vikentyevich Veresaev , , was a Russian writer and medical doctor. His real last name was Smidovich.-Early life:...
contributed to the magazine as well .
At first the government assigned the notorious censor Elagin to Zhizn, who banned two thirds of the content, but then a new censor, Vorshev, was assigned, who took a hands off approach:
- You know, Vladimir Aleksandrovich, I am an old man and I poorly understand the latest literary and political trends, and it's hard for me to decide under current conditions what to permit and what not to permit. I will sign everything that you put in front of me, but I ask you not to let me down and to exercise the greatest caution.
The magazine was, in effect, self-censored for three or four months, but eventually the government reinstated Elagin and censorship problems returned. The government finally closed the magazine down in April 1901 when it found out about revolutionary socialists (supposedly Boris Savinkov
Boris Savinkov
Boris Viktorovich Savinkov was a Russian writer and revolutionary terrorist...
, Gariushin and Tatarov) using the magazine's offices for their secret meetings .
Later in 1901 Posse moved to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and then to London and began looking for a way to resume publication of the magazine, this time free of censorship. Although Ariadna Tyrkova-Williams
Ariadna Tyrkova-Williams
Ariadna Vladimirovna Tyrkova-Williams was a liberal politician, journalist, writer and feminist in Russia during the revolutionary period until 1920...
(then Ariadna Borman)'s mission to Gorky, who was living in exile in Yalta
Yalta
Yalta is a city in Crimea, southern Ukraine, on the north coast of the Black Sea.The city is located on the site of an ancient Greek colony, said to have been founded by Greek sailors who were looking for a safe shore on which to land. It is situated on a deep bay facing south towards the Black...
at the time, in November 1901 proved unsuccessful , Posse eventually formed the "Zhizn Social-Democratic Group" with V. D. Velichkina and Vladimir Bonch-Bruevich
Vladimir Bonch-Bruevich
Vladimir Dmitriyevich Bonch-Bruyevich was a Soviet politician, historian and writer, Old Bolshevik . He was a brother of Mikhail Dmitriyevich Bonch-Bruyevich....
, who provided financial and distribution support. The group published another 5 issues of Zhizn in London between April and August 1902. The last issue, "September-December 1902", was published in Geneva in December 1902 . This foreign-published version of Zhizn was increasingly opposed to the more radical version of Marxism espoused by Georgy Plekhanov, Lenin and other supporters of the rival social democratic newspapers Iskra
Iskra
Iskra was a political newspaper of Russian socialist emigrants established as the official organ of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Initially, it was managed by Vladimir Lenin, moving as he moved. The first edition was published in Stuttgart on December 1, 1900. Other editions were...
and Zarya.
Twelve issues of a companion magazine, Listki Zhizni (Life Leaflets) were published by Posse (as "F. Rosin") in London between May 15, 1902 (Gregorian calendar
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar, or Christian calendar, is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, by a decree signed on 24 February 1582, a papal bull known by its opening words Inter...
) and December 12, 1902 as a "non-factional Social-Democratic organ". Several volumes in an irregular "Zhizn Library" series were also published in 1902.
The "Zhizn Social-Democratic Group" ceased to exist and publication stopped when Bonch-Bruevich had a falling out with Posse and left the group, joining Iskra and taking his distribution network with him . Bonch-Bruevich also transferred 19 manuscripts from Zhizn
As a Modern Newspaper 2001-
In 1991, the Zhizn publishing house was formed which began establishing regional newspapers in Russia. By 2001, the number had grown to 30, and all titles were merged into a new national newspaper, Zhizn. By 2005, Zhizn was the third most read national newspaper in Russia with a circulation of 2.1m.Presently, the Zhizn is regarded as a tabloid and a typical "yellow press". The newspaper is often providing gossip, scandals and questionable facts.