Help each other so as not to disappear alone. The story of the "Star" continues

ST. PETERSBURG. Charitable foundations have found funds to provide the libraries of the Northern capital with sets of the Zvezda magazine.

In a situation called “There is no money, but you hold on”, not only pensioners with a penniless pension, most of the working-age population have to think about survival, but also to thick magazines. Zvezda, which celebrated its 90th anniversary 2 years ago, was on the verge of closure. Having replaced the liquidated "Russian Contemporary", she occupied a very important niche. The "Star" published not only reliable writers from the point of view of the authorities. She opened the door for writers and poets who struggled to fit into Soviet reality, but were forced to adapt to it. On the pages of the magazine appeared the works of Mandelstam, Pasternak, Klyuev, Zabolotsky, Zoshchenko.

"Star" survived the blockade, survived the cannibalistic decree of 1946, perked up in the 90s. The turning points, as for the whole country, were the last two years. An independent publication could cease to exist at any time. Libraries - the main subscribers to thick magazines - found themselves without the usual funding. The funds allocated by the government, according to Jacob Gordin, do not reach everyone and in insufficient volume. Although “fat men” are still needed by tens and even hundreds of thousands of readers.

Charity funds that donated about one and a half million rubles to support the oldest magazine did not remain indifferent to the problem. Two hundred St. Petersburg libraries will receive all issues of the journal in a year. Support funds for liberal education, named after Likhachev and “Dignity”, have been maintained for people who think, write and read an independent publication. At least for a while.

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru