ABSTRACT
The fall of communism in Russia has brought no Commissions of Truth and Reconciliation; no trials or punishments of the perpetrators of some of the worst atrocities of the twentieth century. Nor have surviving victims received apologies or more than minimal compensation. 1 Even Jews who elsewhere have proven energetic in demanding an historical accounting are strangely quiet. The examination by Russians and others of their experience, victimisation, culpability, resilience and resignation during the time that Stalin reigned is oddly missing from today’s historical discourse. Where one would expect a cacophony of accusations, denunciations, demands, denials and individual condemnations, one hears instead a ringing silence.
