ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the interaction between mnemonic actors, mediated by the texts, which involves a combination of analyses of discourses and social practices. The anniversary of the 1917 revolution that upended the history of the 20th century went relatively unnoticed in Russia considering the plethora of social, cultural and scientific events that marked its centenary all over the world. The tragedy of the revolution is primarily associated with the Civil War and the collapse of the Russian Empire. The theme of political repressions has been mentioned by Putin repeatedly. The organisation of commemoration at the national level requires that historical events be linked to ideological constructs that serve to legitimise the political regime and its policy; it becomes part of symbolic policy implemented on behalf of the state. The comparative analysis vividly demonstrates a mythologisation typically used in the past for political purposes: every competing story ‘remembers’ and ‘forgets’ things in accordance with the goals of the mnemonic actor.
