PBC0096: love of homeland

PBC 96 conveys regionalists’ love for their homeland in the Russian North—whether European Russia or Siberia. The tonality can vary from personal to folkloric. For example, in a pre-war work from 1909, the picturesque northern Lake Onega is the site of a fabulous meeting of three magical talking Russian birds to defend their country from the terrible Falcon (W300). In another instance the poet finds a hidden beauty in the frigid northern surroundings, no different than those of other areas (W374). The Russian North, though abused as a site of punishment for centuries, evokes wonder in its admirers.