PODCAST:Next Year in Moscow
TITLE:Next Year in Moscow 4: Hostages
DATE:2023-03-18 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
"Next Year in Moscow 4: Hostages" is an episode from The Economist's podcast series that revisits the harrowing Nordost Theater siege in Moscow on October 23, 2002. The incident began when armed men and women, dressed in combat gear and wearing suicide belts, took over 900 people hostage during a performance of Russia's first Broadway-style musical, "Nordost." Their demand was for Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Chechnya and withdraw Russian troops. The Kremlin's refusal to negotiate led to a tragic end when special forces pumped a potent gas into the auditorium, killing at least 130 hostages and all the hostage-takers.
This episode, narrated by Arkady Ostrovsky, reflects on the broader implications of the Nordost siege for Russian society and politics. It highlights the disregard for human life displayed by the state, as the safety of the civilians was grossly neglected in the operation. The siege marked a reversal of Mikhail Gorbachev's principle that human life and dignity should take priority over the prestige of the state.
Central to the episode is the story of Chulpan Khamatova, one of Russia's most famous actresses. Khamatova's career and personal journey provide a unique perspective on the changes in Russia over the past few decades. Her involvement in charity work, interactions with Putin, and eventual exile in Latvia after speaking out against the war in Ukraine illustrate the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by public figures in Putin's Russia.
Khamatova's role in a play about the Nordost siege, where she portrays a character based on an actual hostage, emphasizes the ongoing struggle to come to terms with this dark chapter in Russian history. The episode also delves into Khamatova's relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev, highlighting the contrast between Gorbachev's and Putin's approaches to leadership and their impact on Russian society.
"Next Year in Moscow 4: Hostages" is a poignant exploration of the themes of state violence, individual responsibility, and the complex relationship between art, politics, and society in contemporary Russia. It underscores the enduring trauma of the Nordost siege and its relevance to understanding the current state of Russia under Putin's regime.
