Moscow Diary

Author: Rabindranath Tagore (India), translated by Dong Youchen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: From December 6, 1926, to late January 1927, Benjamin spent two months in Moscow. Three factors led to his visit: First, he could not forget the woman he had met in Capri, Italy, in the past, 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; and finally, he had to write reports for the newspaper that was funding his trip. His long essays, such as Moscow, were published in early 1927. The Moscow Diary was not published until four decades after Benjamin's death, which clearly reflects his own wishes. The diary contains candid criticism of Soviet politics, economy, culture, 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 (or Kafkaesque?) memoir that recounts his childhood in Berlin and the circumstances of his family.