The War Within the Russian Soul

Continuing our discussion series on “Soul Struggles with the Russian Greats,” Nathan Nielson, Founder and Director of Books & Bridges, will explore two masterpieces that typify tensions inside the Russian tradition. The novel Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev portrays the negation of nihilism and the film Andrei Rublev by Andrei Tarkovsky shows the wonder of faith. Between Bazarov the nihilist and Boriska the bellmaker, we see different winds of the Russian storm, warring impulses of the national character. As part of this gathering, we will view the section in the film called The Bell and contrast it with the novel. The aim here is not to discuss contemporary politics, but to examine the deeper philosophical and spiritual strains of the culture. Thanks again to The Monson Center for hosting (411 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111). A Q&A and refreshments will follow.
This event is organized by Books & Bridges — a humanities forum of ideas and conversation. Our mission is to facilitate discussion on the best of human thought. We explore the wisdoms of the world and apply them to modern life. We have no political, religious or ideological affiliation. In a society divided by uncivil discourse, the beauty of the humanities—novels, history, philosophy, poetry, ethics and epics—lifts us to our better angels.