What happened in Russia after 88?
The Norwegian writer and researcher Steinar Wikan’s describes in his new book the enormous changes the Russian society experienced during the 1990ties, focusing on the Kola Peninsula. – This is basic knowledge on Russia for those who would like to understand the country better, says Wikan.
The North-Norway writer Steinar Wikan released his book “Kola – The borderland in the east” earlier this fall. Wikan was born in the border valley Pasvik during the First World War. The valley is divided in two by the Norwegian-Russian border and his interest for Russia was early triggered, living so close to a country which was almost impossible to visit.
Everything changed
However, around 1988 everything changed when Mikhail Gorbachev’s glasnost and Perestroika policy was effectuated. Suddenly Wikan could go everywhere.
− As a researcher we were suddenly allowed to go almost any place in Russia, since it at this time was important for Russians to have a western researcher in all projects. Hence we were invited to participate in numerous projects and there were almost no restrictions to what we could do, says Wikan.
Wikan’s many experiences and the knowledge he gained on his journeys in Russia through two decades, is gathered in his new book. For Wikan it has been important to describe the changes which were going on in the country in at the time, and how this affected every Russians living on the Kola Peninsula.
- Important book
The Norwegian Barents Secretariat has contributed with financing of Wikan’s book. Secretary General Rune Rafaelsen says that it is very important that books like this are written.
− This book contributes to better primary knowledge about what Norwegian and Russian relations are all about, and what is the fundament of the relations we have across this border today, says Rafaelsen.
The book is only published in Norwegian language.
