I wish I was here today to share with you a lovely, thoughtful conversation about Anna’s remarkable cookbook, The Soviet Diet Cookbook, which serves as a fascinating anthropological, historical analysis of the Soviet regime. Unfortunately, we can’t have that conversation. Rather than looking back at the Soviet regime in retrospect, Anna reports that almost overnight, beginning with the invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, Russia has instead plunged directly back into that dark and difficult part of Russian history. Anna shares her story of the rapid, nightmarish descent into this new period of repression, isolation, paranoia, and deprivation, including the specific events that led to her realization that she had to flee Russia - that or face over a decade, perhaps several, in jail.
Today, Anna speaks to us from Istanbul, where she is living in her 6th apartment in just 2 weeks, sick with concern for Ukraine, fear for her dissenting family and friends remaining in Moscow, and only beginning to guess how she can put back together a life that Putin has smashed into a thousand pieces. I welcome her and her very important perspective to the podcast, I do commend her book The Soviet Diet Cookbook to you as a way to understand what is happening right now, and I thank you, listeners, for being here.
Highlights
- Were Russians surprised by the invasion?
- Anna’s story: 1 interview and 3 laws that forced her decision
- Resurrecting Stalin’s reputation
- Are average citizens of the former USSR enemies or friends? And the many complicated connections between Ukrainians and Russians
- What is Putin telling Russians and do they believe him?
- True or false? “Russia regressed 30 years in 2 weeks”
- Can/Will Russian citizens rise up and stop the war?
- What’s coming next for Russian citizens?
- What can/should members of free nations do in response to this?
Listen to Anna Now
Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player
Recipe Shared By Dora Hurley
How To Contact Anna Kharzeeva Or Buy Her Book
Website: www.annakharzeeva.com
Instagram: @anna.kharzeeva
The Storied Recipe Needs Your Help!
Please leave a 5-star review for the podcast right here!
This link will give all review options available on your device. Simply choose any option, click, and leave a review. Thank you!
The Storied Recipe Print Shop
Where every print tells a story.
High end prints for your kitchen walls: Download and print immediately.
The Storied Recipe Newsletter
The Storied Recipe is a community that believes food is a universal love language. Join for episode & recipe updates every Friday mornings. (And occasional free gifts!)
Would love to hear from you!