Authors

Vladimir A. Karelin
Murmansk Institute of Economics – Branch of Saint-Petersburg University of Мanagement Technologies and Economics;
ul. Khalatina 7, Murmansk, 183031, Russian Federation;
e-mail: karelin_vladimir@mail.ru
Andrey V. Repnevskiy
Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov;
prosp. Lomonosova 2, Arkhangelsk, 163002, Russian Federation;
e-mail: a.repnevskiy@narfu.ru

Abstract

The collection of 122 letters from the Russian diplomat Konstantin N. Gulkevich to the famous Norwegian Slavist Olaf Broch covers a crucial period in the history of Russia. The letters are accompanied by erudite comments and can be considered as diary entries. They primarily dwell on the events of 1917–1921 in Russia. Although these are personal letters, they vividly present Gulkevich’s political views and activities, as well as paint a broad picture of the armed struggle in Russia, including the North. In addition to critique of Bolshevik activities, these epistolary documents provide unbiased characteristics оf Russian emigres. The publication of these letters is a new contribution to source studies timed to the centenary of the 1917 October Revolution. This collection can be used to investigate various historical aspects of the Russian Revolution.

Keywords

Russian Revolution, Russian Civil War, Allied intervention, personal letters, diplomat K.N. Gulkevich, Slavist Olaf Broch