From Prison to the Cemetery: How Ukrainian and Moscow Anarchists Turned Kropotkin’s Funeral into a Political Rally by Anatoly Dubovik Moscow is the centre of the Bolsheviks. Moscow is red, there no place for an- archists in it. . . . This isn’t your . Soon you will lose heart.” "This was the response I got more or less from prominent anarchists when I asked them about anarchist work in Moscow. In fact, initially I found my- self beating my head against the wall in the Moscow anarchist milieu. No matter to whom I spoke about work, the response was a condescending smile or worse.” But after a few weeks, the propa- ganda of the Nabatsi began to bear n February 13, 1921, 78-year-old – “the grandfather fruit. The same Gorelik described his Oof the Russian ” and the “apostle of ,” as he activities in February, 1921, as follows: was known to his contemporaries, was buried in Moscow. This funeral “There was scarcely a single fac- was the last political demonstration organized by a non-Bolshevik party tory-plant meeting that the anarch- in Moscow in that era. Anarchists from Ukraine played a significant role ists weren’t invited to. Every evening in this event. the workers filled the anarchist clubs At the end of November, 1920, the defeated the Whites, the Bolshe- on Leontievsky [Lane] and elsewhere. government of the Ukrainian SSR vik brass turned again to plans for Everywhere, in the clubs on Leon- [Soviet Socialist Repubic] abrogat- revolution in Euope, and hoped to tievsky, at workers’ meetings, at the ed the military-political agreement make Western anarchists automobile depot of the with the Makhnovists and crushed their allies. So, repression Sovnarkom [Soviet of the anarchist movement in Ukraine. against anarchists in Rus- People’s Commissars], in Hundreds of anarchists ended up in sia and Ukraine had to be the Ukrainian theatre, in prison. curtailed. And in January, Sergiyev [city near Mos- cow], and in the univer- Soon 40 of these activists were sent 1921, they began to release sities where I delivered to Moscow at the disposal of the the “Nabatsi.” Of course, lectures and spoke at VChK [Cheka]. Among them were they didn’t release all of rallies and demonstra- leaders of the Confederation of them, but only the “less tions, there were serious Anarchist Organizations Ukraine dangerous” ones, and, of debates and questions “” and all the representatives course, their release was raised.” of the Makhnovist movement who not unconditional but Anatoly Gorelik were present in Kharkov at the mo- subject to their pledge Thus, thanks to the deft ment of the arrests. These were ex- not to leave Moscow. touch of the Ukrainian Nabatsi, the perienced propagandists and organ- Once in freedom, the Ukrainian an- anarchist movement experienced a izers, ideologues and militants, who archists again applied themselves to new surge of activity in early 1921. had fought for years against both spreading their ideas. Paradoxically, In the midst of this activity, news Red and White regimes. they were immediately confronted came from the town of Dmitrov near But it was not very convenient to with opposition from their Russian Moscow: Kropotkin had died. counterparts. Here is how the Naba- the rulers of the RSFSR [Russian The name of Peter Alexeyevich Kro- tist Anatoly Gorelik remembered it: Soviet Federative Socialist Republic] potkin was known not only in the to keep them behind bars. Having “Forget about working in Moscow. former , but also in

1 all the countries of the world. He was born into a wealthy, aristocrat- ic family, and had the opportunity to pursue rapid advancement in any field, but at the age of 18 he chose to become a simple Cossack officer in the remote Siberian periphery of the Empire. His ancestors were proud of the fact that they were descended from the Rurikids, while Kropotkin never used his prince- ly title. He was attracted to science and made significant contributions to the development of geology, geog- raphy, history, biology, and literary criticism, becoming one of the last scholar-encyclopedists in the hist- ory of humanity. At the same time, P. A. Kropotkin in his study in Dmitrov, sitting at a desk he built with his own hands. he was one the most outstanding socialists and revolutionaries of his But this did not prevent him from out to their conscience. In 1919 and time, the creator of the theory of taking the side of the Provision- 1920 Kropotkin wrote several letters anarcho-, which at the al Government on the “Ukrainian to Lenin, urging him to abandon turn of the 19th – 20th centuries had question”: without looking into the the system of “Red Terror” and hos- millions of active supporters. basic demands of the the Ukrainian tage-taking, which he called “a return national liberation movement and, to the worst times of the Middle Ages In addition to his listed accomplish- in particular, the resolutions of the and the wars of religion”; “The police ments, he was also a pleasant person Ukrainian Central Rada, the con- cannot be the builders of a new life. to talk to. For example, the French firmed federalist Kropotkin wrote And yet they are becoming the su- writer Romain Rolland wrote: an emotional letter, echoing feder- preme authority in every town and “I like Tolstoy very much, you know. alists from Ukraine, with the appeal village. Where is this leading ? But I often had the impression that “Don’t sever age-old ties!” Mind you, To the most baleful reaction”; “If the Kropotkin was what Tolstoy was the letter never reached the addres- current situation continues, then writing about. He simply and natur- sees, but that was the result of a de- the word ‘” will turn into a ally embodied in his personality that cision of members of the Provision- curse.” Lenin read these letters, but ideal of moral purity, al Government, who did not deign to answer them . . . . quiet self-sacrifice, and were just leaving for perfect love for human- negotiations in Kiev. Vsevolod Voline, one of the leaders of the Nabat Confederation, left mem- ity which Tolstoy’s tor- Kropotkin remained ories of Kropotkin’s state of mind mented genius want­ed faithful to his convic- during the last period of his life. In all his life, but failed to tions till the end. Re- early November, 1920, released from achieve, except in his jecting privileges, he prison by the Cheka and preparing art.” considered any state to return to Ukraine, Voline went Kropotkin was distin- as a source of only evil to Dmitrov to visit his teacher. In guished by his princi- and violence. Even conversation “Kropotkin spoke with ples, as he confirmed under the Bolsheviks, deep regret that the political-party, after returning from he did not accept any statist nature of our revolution had 40 years abroad to Rus- Vsevolod Voline special rations or spe- made it a ‘typical failed revolution,’ sia in June, 1917. Having received an cial quarters in the Kremlin, refused and expressed fears for the possibility offer from Alexander Kerensky to re- special medical care, and also offers of far-reaching reaction. But when, ceive any ministerial post in the Pro- to publish his books in the state’s with rapt attention and enthusiasm, visional Government, the 74-year- publishing houses. he listened to the accounts of my old activist refused: At the same time, in the Leninists he comrades and myself about the situ- “I consider the occupation of boot pol- nevertheless saw at least erstwhile ation in Ukraine, he brightened up isher to be more honest and useful.” revolutionaries, and tried to reach and said excitedly several times:

2 ‘Well now, do go there, if our cause is The Chekists needed And from morning being pursued there.’ much more time; in fact to late in the evening, And he added with sadness: by the evening before thousands of people— the funeral, the VChK workers, students, Red ‘Oh, if only I were young, I would had still not arrived at a Army soldiers, non- also go there . . . to work . . . .’” decision. party people, and mem- Three months later, Kropotkin died. Meanwhile, on February bers of various political organizations ranging News of his death became known in 10, the coffin with Kro- from the anarchists to Moscow on the same day, namely, potkin’s body was sent rank-and-file Bolsheviks February 8. A Commission of An- to Moscow. In Dmitrov, —streamed through the archist Organizations was immedi- the deceased was well Efim Yarchuk Hall of Unions. ately formed to arrange Kropotkin’s known: in spite of his funeral. At the very first meeting, the age and infirmity, Kropotkin was In the meantime, the struggle to Commission rejected the propos- active in the public life of the town. obtain the release of prisoners for a al of the Moscow Soviet to hold all He took part in the creation and ac- day continued. On February 11, in re- funeral ceremonies at state expense. tivities of the Dmitrov association sponse to another request, the VChK In the evening, Efim Yarchuk, repre- of , helped organize the announced that it would release only senting the Commission, sent a tele- local history museum, and enjoyed those whom it considered anarchists phone message to Lenin, chair of the affection and respect. Hundreds of and only for a few hours. After that, Sovnarkom, with a request to release people in Dmitrov came to see him a “flag of protest” was erected in the the anarchists in Moscow prisons off on his last journey. centre of the Hall of Columns: a huge for the period of Kropotkin’s funer- In Moscow the coffin was installed black banner with the inscription: al. The Commission guaranteed that in the Hall of Columns of the House “We demand the release of anarch- they would return to custody. of Unions. The House of Unions was ists struggling for Kropotkin’s idea— Consideration of this unusual re- used for the first time to say farewell .” The Chekists ordered the quest dragged on for a while. The to a political figure, but this inaugural flag removed, but the anarchists put Sovnarkom referred the matter to ceremony was not at all similar to the it back in place, protected by guards. the Presidium of the VTsIK [All-Rus- ones that were to follow. The hall was On the eve of the funeral, a sin- sian Central Executive Committee]. decorated with black flags. No sol- gle-issue newspaper was published: Two days later, the leadership of the diers or police were present—order “Anarchist Organizations in Mem- Soviet “parliament” decided that it was ensured by volunteers from the ory of Peter Alexeyevich Kropotkin. did not object to the release of pris- Commission. At the coffin there was a 1842—1921.” Its 40,000 press run was oners, but left the final decision to guard of honour of anarchists—both intended for free distribution on the the Cheka “at its own discretion.” Muscovites and Ukrainian Nabatsi. streets of Moscow. The Chekists were also preparing. The word of honour of the prisoners and the guarantee of their comrades in freedom seemed insufficient to them. Therefore, the universities compiled lists of anarch- ist students who voluntarily agreed to become hostages: in the event that the released anarchists disappeared after the funeral, these young people would be subject to immediate arrest. This story became known only in the mid-1990s from the words of Tatyana Garaseva, almost the last participant in the funeral of Kropotkin. At the time, she was a 19-year-old student at Moscow University. Finally February 13 arrived, the day of the funeral. From early morning, sol- The procession passed along Prechistenka Street, lined by the former mansions and manors of the nobility. emn columns of mourners gathered

3 near the House of Unions to take part in the funeral procession. But the beginning of the ceremony was delayed, since the VChK was unable to discover a single anarchist worthy of being released even for one day: the Chekists alleged that in their prisons “held only bandits.” This could have caused a new scandal. It was whispered in the crowd that the Cheka was breaking its promise to the government. Alexandra Kropot- kin, the daughter of Peter Alexeyev- ich, told representatives of the VChK that the Funeral Commission, with the consent of the relatives of the deceased, intended to remove all the wreaths and flags of the RKP(b) [Russian Communist Party (Bolshe- viks)] and Soviet organizations in a The seven released prisoners are in the centre of the crowd. demonstrative manner. This could Mark Mrachny, Aleksey Olonetsky, The procession was epic, the num- scarcely be done in a peaceful man- and Olga Taratuta. Anatoly Gorelik, ber of participants being various- ner, and the Chekists themselves a participant in the events, recalled: ly estimated at between 50,000 to would be responsible for riots in the “Unkempt and pale, they resembled 100,000. The march was accom- centre of Moscow. convicts of tsarist times. Aleksey panied by the singing of songs: trad- Half an hour after receiving the ulti- Olonetsky’s appearance was espe- itional revolutionary songs and ones matum, the VChK caved in: a group cially shocking.” But it was these in which new words were set to old of anarchists was brought to the tormented seven anarchists from melodies: House of Unions from Butyrskya Ukraine who took up the coffin and “Our Lenin panicked, he issued a Prison. Out of several dozen prison- carried it all the way to the Novode- manifesto: ers, only seven were released: Nabat vichy Cemetery, without relinquish- All honours to the dead, the living members Aron and Fanya Baron, ing to anyone else their honourable under arrest.” Aleksandr Guevsky, David Kogan, right to this mournful burden. “We are crushed, comrades, by the power of the communists, The Chekist-enemy is in charge everywhere.” The procession halted twice. First at the Lev Tolstoy house-museum, where banners were lowered as a sign of respect for the world-famous writer and Christian anarchist. Sec- ondly, in front of Butyrskaya Prison, where “The March of the Anarchists” was sung along with the prisoners. This was the last legal demonstration of anarchists in Moscow and, as far as is known, the last legal demonstra- tion of non-Bolshevik political forces in the long decades of Soviet rule. The next one took place only in 1987.

The banner reads: "We demand the release from prison dungeons of anarchists The procession arrived at the struggling for the ideas of Kropotkin—Anarchy." Novodevichy Cemetery, where a

4 meeting was held. It was opened by on Leontievsky Lane, and in the the most well known Russian anar- evening another meeting was held, cho-syndicalist Grigory Maksimov, this time in secret. The Nabat ac- followed by representatives of an- tivists listened to a report by a archist organizations, the Left SRs, comrade just arrived from Khar- the Mensheviks, the RKP(b), and kov, about progress in restoring the Comintern. The last to speak the organization and carrying on was the Nabat leader Baron, and propaganda. it was his speech that was remem- At around midnight, the seven bered best by those present. Here Nabatsi on parole turned them- is a description by the Comintern selves in. This turned out to be not employee Victor Serge, a former a simple matter, as Mark Mrachny anarchist and future denizen of recalled: Soviet prisons: “We turned up at Lubyanka No. 2. “Aron Baron, arrested in the We approached the main entrance Ukraine, due to return that evening in a group, but the sentry shout- to a prison from which he would ed at us rudely, and when we an- never again emerge, lifted his ema- nounced that we were returning to ciated, bearded, gold-spectacled prison, he decided, apparently, that profile to cry relentless protests either us or him had taken leave of against the new despotism; the their senses.” butchers at work in their cellars, the dishonour shed upon socialism, the The sentry insisted for a long time official violence that was trampling on a pass, but finally agreed to sum- the Revolution underfoot. Fearless mon the commandant. Only then and impetuous, he seemed to be was the issue settled: the anarch- sowing the seeds of new tempests.” Front page of the 4-page broadsheet ists were returned to their cells. newspaper: "Anarchist Organizations After the funeral, the anarchists in Memory of Peter Alexeyevich Thus ended February 13, 1921, the held a private funeral in their club Kropotkin, 1842–1921." day of Kropotkin’s funeral.

Translated from the Russian by Malcolm Archibald. Anatoly Dubovik's article was first published bydsunew.ua on February 13, 2021.

5