Moscow Diary

Author: Roman Rolland
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: From December 6, 1926, to late January 1927, Benjamin stayed in Moscow for two months. There were three factors that led to his trip: First, he could not forget the woman he once met in Capri, Italy, the Latvian film director Asja Lacis; second, he wanted to observe Russia closely to consider the unresolved issue of his membership in the German Communist Party; finally, he had to write reports for the newspaper that was funding his trip. Long essays such as Moscow were published in early 1927. The Moscow Diary was published only forty years after Benjamin's death, which clearly shows it was his own wish. The Moscow Diary contains candid criticism of the Soviet Union's politics, economy, cultural arts, and religion. Another core theme of the diary is the awkward relationship between Benjamin and Asja. In the diary, Benjamin shares his insights on theater performance, architectural art, urban customs, Russian religion, food, clothing, and more. The Berlin Chronicle is a Benjaminian (Kafkian?) memoir that recounts his childhood in Berlin and the circumstances of his family.