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(Left to right) Margarita Mudrak, chair of the St Petersburg Association for International Co-operation, Philip Matthews, SCRSS chair, Bill Bowring, SCRSS president
[Karl Weiss]
THE Brixton, London, headquarters of the Society for Co-operation in Russian & Soviet Studies (SCRSS) was packed for celebrations of its centenary on Saturday.
Authors and academics specialising in Soviet and Russian culture rubbed shoulders with socialist campaigners as society president Bill Bowring and chair Philip Matthews spoke of its foundation in 1924, when it aimed to cut through the “cordon sanitaire” erected around Soviet Russia and promote scientific and cultural exchanges in the year Britain elected its first ever Labour government, on a manifesto that included diplomatic recognition of the USSR.
The society opened its new exhibition, A History of the SCRSS in 100+ Objects, which includes photos, publications and rare artefacts from a century of cultural work, and Jane Rosen signed copies of her new book on the subject, with a title, An Unpopular Cause, that will resonate with many tireless left activists.
A chance find when clearing out our old office led us to renew a friendship across 5,000 miles and almost nine decades of history, explains ROGER McKENZIE
From hunting rare pamphlets at book sales to online panels and courses on trade unionism and class politics, the MML continues connecting archive treasures with the movements fighting for a better world, writes director MEIRIAN JUMP
The pivotal role of the Red Army and sacrifices of the Russian people in the defeat of Nazi Germany must never be forgotten, writes DR DYLAN MURPHY
