Foreword by the Saker:
Today I am not posting an analysis, but a recollection of an episode of my past. I hope that you, dear readers, will not mind. If you do, let me know and this will be the last one.
Anyway, this is how one night I met a quite remarkable officer who later became a good friend.
I first met Igor Morozov in 1991, in Moscow. I had never been to Russia before (I was blacklisted by the KGB as a “dangerous anti-Soviet activist” and “provocateur”; deservedly so I would add). But as soon as the GKChP coup was over I jumped in the first plane and left for Moscow; the ruins of the barricades were still blocking streets and sometimes smoldering at night. As soon as I landed, I asked a common friend to “make me meet some really top-of-the-line Spetsnaz guy – don’t care what kind, just pick the best you can” as one of the main goals of my first trip to Russia was to interview everybody and anybody willing to talk to me (“bad guys” and “good guys” – that did not matter to me) and, boy – I was not disappointed by that trip or my subsequent trips in 1992-1994: these were the most amazing, interesting and enriching years of my professional life. For that very first “exotic” interview, my friend did deliver, but he did not want to tell me in advance who I would meet or which outfit this person would be affiliated with. I was given a time and a place – nothing else. That is how I met my first ever Spetsnaz officer. Later, I met many more, but this one really stood out and I still think that he was one of the most interesting officers I ever met.
Here is a (machine translated) bio of the Morozov. To me, a descendant of White Russian emigrés, raised as a *rabid* anti-Communist, Igor represented something like “my personal ultimate enemy”. Why? Well, not only was Igor a bona fide KGB Colonel, he was a KGB Colonel in the most secret and most elite type of Spetsnaz force the Soviet Union ever had: the so-called Vympel team (code named “Kaskad” at the time), a highly trained a secretive special operation force specializing in covert operations – including the assassination of foreign leaders – abroad with no “diplomatic cover” which is why this unit was, logically, subordinated to the KGB’s foreign intelligence branch (called PGU KGB SSSR – usually just PGU).
Before my first trip to Russia I had assumed that all KGB officers were the kind of a**holes I had some most unpleasant interaction with in Europe (nevermind the circumstances). As for the KGB, I saw it simply as the organization which murdered millions of innocent Russians including millions of Orthodox Christians (who are now glorified as New Martyrs of Russia). To say that Igor did not fit my stereotype at all would be an understatement! Not only did he look like a typical Russian rytsar (medieval knight), but he was apparently as interested in meeting a “not yet killed White Bandit” (недобитый белобандит) as I was eager to face off with a real “KGB oppressor” (чекистский палач). It appears that we were both equally amazed by what we saw :-)
For one thing, PGU KGB officers had nothing to do with dissidents, repressions, ideologies or Gulags. As for Vympel officers, they were truly a unique breed in that they had to wear two very different “hats” at the same time: first, they were fully trained intelligence officers of the KGB’s foreign intelligence branch, but on top of that they were also fully trained special forces operators.
To be fully honest, I did know that the PGU was a very different beast than the rest of the KGB. What I did not realize at the time was how dramatic this difference was. Much later I would come to realize that PGU officers were mostly real patriots, few of them ever believed in the Marxist dogma, and being separated from the rest of the KGB (the PGU even has its own headquarters and separate training facilities around Moscow like Iasenevo and Balashikha). To those interested in the reality of the PGU I highly recommend the book by Victor Cherkashin “Spy Handler: Memoir of a KGB Officer – The True Story of the Man Who Recruited Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames” – probably the best book on the topic I have read (and, for goodness sake’s, please do not read memoirs by so-called “defectors” who all 1) lie 2) exaggerate 3) make up stories and 4) try not to be forgotten at all costs; leave the reading of this kind of crap to western journalists, foreign service drones and “experts”!).
My first meeting with Igor was to interview him for a Russian emigré newspaper, but we very rapidly became friends (by the way, I later saw our emigré newspaper on display at the KGB museum at the historical KGB HQ on Dzerzhinsky square – it was nice to see that they kept tabs on us just as we kept tabs on them!). After the “official” interview, we started talking and soon we could not stop. Igor then invited me to his modest apartment (no, KGB officers did not always live in luxury, especially not the best ones!). A few hours later, he asked me “want to meet some more PGU officers?”. I obviously enthusiastically agreed, Igor invited another 2 of his PGU friends (what kind exactly was not explained to me and I did not ask) who showed up around 0200 (2am), this is Moscow after all. Igor’s wife made a superb dinner and soon we were eating, drinking, singing, playing guitar and, of course, talking about history and politics. That evening changed a lot of my views about many things.
Today the KGB does not exist (you would never know that if you only listened to the Anglo press): it was broken up into the SVR, the successor of the PGU, and the FSB, the successor to those KGB directorates and departments which were abolished (including the infamous 5th Directorate which dealt with political dissent; some want it back and, frankly, I cannot say I disagree, as long as the new 5th has nothing in common with the old one, which was both totally corrupt and lead by absolute idiots). One special department (9th) charged with protection of officials was transformed into the FSO (which, for some reason, western journos never mention when they describe “Putin’s Mordor”). As for Vympel, it still exists today, but it as a different mission and has partially been replaced by the new (2009) Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (SSO).
Anyway, my post today is not about the KGB or its successors, it’s about what meeting Igor Morozov meant to me: I realized that there are many, probably millions of Russians out there who did not share my views about the past or my ideological leanings, but who were true, faithful sons of Russia and they were just as willing to serve Russia (as opposed to the defunct USSR) as I or my emigré friends did. As for Igor and I, we exchanged a few books, did some reading, and came to the conclusion that we were not ideologically different at all. We were both equally amazed, I think.
Igor is a prolific songwriter (as are many Russian soldiers including special operators), but my absolute favorite song of his is “The Midnight Toast“. I realize that the video below is old and the sound is terrible, but that is still the best recorded version I know of. The lyrics have the following line “We slept and dreamt about Russia“. While Igor was dreaming about Russia in Afghanistan, I was having the same dream in the West. Yes, my conditions were much better than Igor’s, but my pain and longing was no less heartfelt than his. I felt this very strongly that night, and that feeling never left me since. I also remember a thought: do Igor and I have more in common or are our differences bigger than all what we have in common? Following that epic night, over the course of several years, Igor and I met often, he even took me to visit his father, a former military intelligence officer. We often discussed our dramatically different fates, and we both agreed that what we had in common was much bigger than what separated us. I still believe that today.
I have not seen Igor in years, life happened, and I lost his contact info. I miss him a lot. So all I want to do is simply leave you with him (and another soldier bard who joins him at the end of the video) and one of his best songs (tears burn my eyes every time I listen to it). I don’t know how much this old video and translation conveys, it is impossible for me to feel that, but I hope that at least *something* precious will be conveyed to all of you, my friends, from this small song.
Kind regards to all,
The Saker
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR UPDATE
PS: If by some miracle somebody who knows Igor can put me in contact with him, I would be most grateful. Who knows? Maybe somebody will?!
ПС: Если каким – то чудом кто-то из знакомых Игоря прочтет эти строчки то, очень прошу, передайте Игорю, что я его разыскиваю! Заранее спасибо!
____
Lyrics translated by Sasha and subtitled by Leo.
I raise this toast to an old friend of mine
With whom I went through the war
The ground was smouldering, ablaze
But we dreamt of listening to silence
I raise this toast to my faithful friend
To a stern brother of mine
I likely wouldn’t have returned from that war alive
Had he not been beside me
Were it the last rounds or cigarettes to light
We shared between us half and half
Stayed warm under one tent cloak for the night
We slept and dreamt about Russia
However many days are left in life for me
Wherever I’d be tossed by fate
I’ll remember how on the Afghan path it came to be
That I was brought together with my friend
An old and amateur photograph on hand
Not yet cooled down from a recent attack
The two of us paratroopers from Vitebsk stand there
Smiling wearily into the lens
And I stare at this memory from the past
The candle’s burning, the stearin is melting
Alyosha and I believed the final day’d be cast
That day did come… but I am celebrating alone…
Outside my window the night is heaving
I look at the photograph as I smoke
And I hear my friend’s hoarse voice yelling:
“Live on! And I’ll cover you like in battle!”
A fiery dawn above the city skyline
Trams ring along the street
I drink wine to the old comrade of mine
Had he survived, he’d drink to me
UPDATE: I am posting two links to download the song with a much improved sound, thanks to who cleaned up much of the noise in this recording (thanks Selecta!!).
Link 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OT-3ISk8aRPq5baafb1rgo5-Miipxkcx/view?usp=sharing
Link 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EfufA8pqpRht_toW2jqwp57WU0GMXsqA/view?usp=sharing
Why does this bring tears to my eyes? I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I have none of the background that those guys do, but that simple song touches me as if I did. I can’t explain why.
Some songs come straight from the soul, transit all languages and go straight into another soul…..this is one of them.
Because you too fight for something
It is the wonderful and dangerous power of the Bard – to stir the Soul. It is because you are human that it brings tears to your eyes. Humanity has ONE Heart, and yet we forget that over and over… until reminded… we shed tears of remembrance.
J’apprécie ce témoignage. L’amitié humaine , comme tu nous la montre, ne semble pas exister en Amérique. On l’a trouve peut-être dans les communautés religieuses mais dans le civil j’en doute. Même dans les familles les liens sont fragiles.
Merci Saker
Virgil wrote:
Sunt lacrimae rerum …
There are tears at the heart of things
I humbly share your emotion,Brother …
Nice memory. I hope you find your friend.
As the audio has quite a bit of noise I downloaded the video to try to “fix” it. I added some noise reduction and made EQ adjustments, as well as added sharpness and minor color adjustments to the video.The noise is almost completely gone but some of the vibrancy of the voice and guitar has suffered. Let me know if you want the video sent to you and where.
Send man. Post a link. Or do you want personal acknowledgement from Saker.
I made 2 versions, one with just EQ adjustment and one with full noise removal.
I don’t have anywhere to post them. Plus, I don’t have the rights to post other people’s materials, even downloading from youtube like this is not really legal, is it? That’s why I need someone’s permission whether from The Saker or his Admins or Moderators.
It would be ideal if I had someone contact me and send me the original to work with (that way quality should be much better (The Youtube version is at a lowly 2 Mbps, and who knows how low the audio bit rate is).
Glad to help.
Dear Selecta
Could you email me the recordings? I could then post them here.
Thank you!!
I enjoyed this presentation so very much. This reached my very inner being!
I hope this becomes a permanent part of presentations.
The links to the music are in the update from the Saker – above. Mod.
Thank you, Saker! This is highly meaningful for me to read as well.
Approaching the other side with an open mind can enhance one’s own perspective immensely.
I hope Igor Morozov turns out to be doing well. Thank you and him for the song!
Love of Russia – how the Motherland calls us to her bosom! Many descendants of White immigrants still feel this call. Thank you Saker for this wonderful recollection!
Два чувства дивно близки нам,
В них обретает сердце пищу:
Любовь к родному пепелищу,
Любовь к отеческим гробам.
Животворящая святыня !
Земля была б без них мертва,
Как …….. пустыня.
И как алтарь без божества».
Спаси Господи Андрея!
I don’t really know you but I do love your humanity.
Thank you Saker for your heartfelt memories.
Mother Russia calls many back to her fold… hubby was 5 when his family were forced to flee during WWII … but despite ending up in far flung Aussie, they never lost that connection.
Thread carefully Babushka:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-15/four-corners-putin-russia-influence/13139628?nw=0. You know what I mean.
Is he on VK?
https://vk.com/club96591602, Морозов Игорь Николаевич
Rob,
I think you found him.
yes, that is him, but from a (very quick) look Igor does not seem to post there.
But this page also pointed me here: http://www.kuos-vympel.ru/history/kaskad/
I don’t use Vkontakte, but over the week end I will pursue all these leads.
Thank you!!!
Really nice article Saker, and a really touching song. I really hope you find your friend. These guys are heroes.
The song is the key.
Wine women and song: It seems many in the US, including most politicians, have completely lost their sense of humour. Currently extreme left and extreme right are the main offenders. This is also the case in the UK that was once the center of the universe for satire and humor.
So remember the quote :“Who loves not women, wine, and song, remains a fool his whole life long,”
https://youtu.be/6TTES2b3BZ4
believe it or not Saker, on SS Island – where I live – I met a guy named Sashay – who was Spetsnaz in Afghanistan for 4 years – and even though I don’t work at the same place where I was working when he came in as a customer – I keep in touch with him through my NEWS BITES – and I sent him this article and asked him if he knows Igor. Seems like someone else might also have found him for you – but maybe Sashay also knows him. He told me the Afghans looked after the Russian soldiers there. He told me a few remarkable stories about Afghanis. And he told me Putin is married to the gymnast.
He told me the Afghans looked after the Russian soldiers there.
That is mostly not true at all. Russian soldiers were typically tortured to death. Many were raped. Other kept in holes for years.
I don’t think that your Sashay was the real thing, sorry (there are millions of fake ex-Spetsnaz all over the planet).
Kind regards!
maybe but he has a certain distance about him yet he’s very kind. And it was very interesting where he was stationed – at 4000 ft – and his descriptions of the houses the Afghanis had at that height – 4 levels down – very interesting. Maybe not trained to the degree of your friend though. The Russians were neglected by the Russian government – no new boots for 4 years.
Saker, you asked in your introduction if we minded this kind of article. I liked it very much, and would be glad to explore any other reminiscences. There is something universal here, on many levels. Yes, I love the analytical writings. But this gets at something we all seek.
Thank you for sharing.
Good article.
Re the song, here is a line or two from Kipling:
“When you’re wounded and left in Afghanistan’s plains
And the women come out to cut up the remains
Just roll towards your rifle and blow out your brains
And go to your God like a soldier!”
And here is an Irish take (Thomas Davis) on foreign invaders in Afghanistan:
“The Englishman, for long long years, had ravaged Ganges’ side –
A dealer first, intriguer next, he conquered far and wide,
Till, hurried on by avarice, and thirst of endless rule,
His sepoys pierced to Candahar, his flag waved in Cabul;
But still within the conquered land was one unconquered man,
The fierce Pustani lion, the fiery Akhbar Khan –
He slew the sepoys on the snow, till Sindh’s full flood they swam it
Right rapidly, content to flee the son of Dost Mohammed,
The son of Dost Mohammed, and brave old Dost Mohammed –
Oh! long may they
Their mountains sway,
Akhbar and Dost Mohammed!
Long live the Dost!
Who Britain crost,
Hurrah for Dost Mohammed!”
Thanks a million, Honorable Saker. It was refreshing.
Powerful stuff, Saker. You should certainly publish more. It’s this kind of true journalism – as distinct from the know-nothing Anglozionist-imperial-mediawhore steno-dreck – which illuminates Russia and Russians to us truly. And god knows, we in the West need that. Just as we need the enduring friendship of Russia, as the Western imperialisms finally reach their terminal crash-and-burn time.
PS: Don’t you ever feel inclined to do as fellow-emigre Russian Dmitry Orlov has done in his middle age, and return home to Russia permanently? Might be the best thing for your soul. And like Dmitry, you can function as an absolutely vital wise bridge and explicator between Russia and the West; as well as being, like him, an unusually savvy commentator on things in general. Respect, Andrei!! – RhG
Dear Saker – you very modestly solicit your readers opinions as to the suitability of your personal concerns and recollections. But I doubt that you were surprised by the warm reception as evidenced in numerous comments above. As for me, I’d like to contribute mine. One of the things that has impressed me the most about your website and the varied contents hosted here concerns exactly this .. burying of the hatchet that long signified strife between Reds and Whites. For a long time it was like the fabled warfare in the heavens of which the ancient poets spoke. And, we know, it was heavy stuff, terribly real. But after the passage of generations a time arose when a great change came about, and the estranged brothers once more came together on the ground of their ancestors and once more discovered their fraternity. I think this is the most important thing that has happened in this human world in my lifetime because what happened has real spiritual value. When former enemies become reconciled the angels rejoice. They have their reasons. Because of this the country of your ancestors has a future, a real future. You can see that already in the streets after the May 9th parades when the Eternal Regiment walks together recalling those who came before. So then sir, in my view your personal recollections of these things actually possess the highest general significance, with weighty political significance as well. As always, thank you.
Beautiful! The lyrics are simple, poetic, honest and very expressive, I can relate to them. I was sent to the war at the age of 20, Saddam’s war on Iran (8years). I didn’t fight, lucky of me, but I served close to the front line for many years. During the war I literally dreamt of listening to silence, as Morozov says in this song “But we dreamt of listening to silence”. Having lost a brother and friends at this terrible war I can relate to the pain and the beautiful sadness in this song. Thanks Saker for writing this, hope you find him. Majid
Many thanks for sharing. Of course I appreciate this kind of posts.
Eric has already said what I would have said – that song touches my soul.
Thank you very much for sharing your personal recollections. I hope you will find your friend.
“Live on and I’ll cover you!” I love that! A real brother!
Hola Saker, throughout the time spent in Russia I have always tried to meet Afgan vets. I know what it is: ….there but for the grace of God go I….. the young man I was, conscripted in the early 80s. All of us who served as conscripts anywhere in the world, throughout the 1980s should know that if we had been born Russians…. There is another song that went straight through me: пришол приказ. The last stanza is clear when it asks почему погиб не я афганистан…
My answer is clear: потому что я не родилься русскии (forgive my spelling and grammatical mistakes, camarada, learning a language like Russian, when well over 50 is quite difficult)
Below is not the best rendition of that song but the the photos are real and all those of us former conscripts should be able to identify. God bless, camarada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmT2zWEleXE
I commented on the YouTube video that I have cleaned up the audio and converted it to MP3. I am happy to pass it on if there is anywhere to upload it.
you keep remembering as often as you like, the song is beautiful and true poetry.
I truly hope you find your friend Saker.
Great song, cool guy, he looks like a Serbian Chetnik. The good old days when people would sit, talk to eachother in person, play a guitar and sing.
One of the best things you have ever posted.
Please don’t get dissuaded by any critics, but post more like this in the future, should the situation warrant it.
A big fan of your writing and analysis.
M.M.
Folk music at its best.
Дорогой Андрей Р., симпатичный человек Игорь Морозов, Вами описанный и запечатленный (из 1990-х), – это по всем вероятиям никто иной, как Морозов Игорь Николаевич, 1956 г.р., ныне сенатор Совета Федерации России (от Рязанской области). Его био есть в русскоязычной Википедии, а его контакты можно, думаю, найти на вебсайте СФ России. Пишущий эти строки с И.Н. Морозовым не знаком, но время от времени (не часто) вижу/слышу его на федеральных каналах радио и ТВ.
С почтением и наилучшими пожеланиями, Дмитрий Х., Ваш регулярный и благодарно-внимательный читатель. Thank you a lot indeed.
———————-
Google translate – from mod.
Dear Andrey R., the handsome man Igor Morozov, described and captured by you (from the 1990s), is in all likelihood none other than Igor Nikolaevich Morozov, born in 1956, now a senator of the Federation Council of Russia (from the Ryazan region) … His bio is in the Russian-language Wikipedia, and his contacts can, I think, be found on the website of the Federation Council of Russia. Writing these lines with I.N. I am not familiar with Morozov, but from time to time (not often) I see / hear him on federal radio and TV channels.
With respect and best wishes, Dmitry H., your regular and grateful attentive reader. Thank you a lot indeed.
Нет, это не сенатор, сенатора я знаю (не лично конечно).
No, this is not the senator, I know about the senator (whom I never met)
I was about to say.. that senator’s full name is also Igor Nikolaevich Morozov and he also has KGB and armed forces in his bio on Wikipedia.. how strange!
Link to Armymusic.ru mogoče pomaga…
https://armymusic.ru/M/52-morozov-igor.html
Concert of Igor Morozov: Gnezdo gluharja, the song “The Midnight Toast“ start at 1:15:22
Игорь Морозов Гнездо глухаря 5 мая 2018
https://youtu.be/agJkX8sFV94
I hope it helps Jadran
You found him. The same video shared here is also the 105th of a collection:
LINK
Just one of the 357 video performances of his work:
LINK
So the Russian wiki page really is him:
LINK
Maybe the best place to read it all in his own words (Yandex is great for auto translation in webpages):
LINK
“His mother was Zoya Mikhailovna Morozova, a Soviet foreign intelligence officer. In one of his interviews, Igor Morozov said that only after his mother’s death did he learn from his father who she really worked for for 30 years.” Strange days that may be fast returning.
Just like me. My father worked all over thd world for MI6 and i had the slightest clue! About 10 yrs sfter he died my mum started talking about it, at first i though “ oh dear , alzheimer , but no she had signed the official secrets act and wrote it all down ,details, names etc etc etc
I remember whrn he had died , i was sorting out the office and found his passports , every page was full full with stamps, hed been everywhere i eas astonished . I thought then , strange,i never knew my dad in a way .
He did tell me once in a roundabout way not to go to Soviet union as his name was known and in his youth hed been involved in something vague but then i was about 20 maybe .
Allthis nostalgia also remind me of the song “Nikita” by Elton John, where he selebrates a Soviet border guard in East Berlin during hei stay there (maibe rather improbable?).– The one and only Elton John song i have appreciated, due to other remembrances og Soviet/Jewish/Isreëli/Russian Special Agents that have delivered me both much enjoyement and final heartbrekes.
My grandfather was a simple man, a mason. During the war he, a German, was in charge of supervising a group of Russian prisoners of war. He regarded them as his brethren, and they regarded him as theirs. One rainy night he would bring them wood shingles so they cpuld seal the roof of their barack, a very risky thing that might have cost him a lot if cauht. On Sundays, when the prisoners had a free day, they would visit the modest house of my grandparents who accepted them like friends. My granfather lost two sons at the “east front”, killed by Russians. His pain was unbearable but he would have never taken revenge or even put blame on those poor souls he always felt sorry for bc they were away from home. As a simple man he did not manage friendships or even write letters (for he couldn’t write anyway) and I don’t even know why I am writing this but this story and the song just remined me the simple but direct humanity of my grandfather and his Russian friends he helped despite all odds and although he had almost nothing to share. Who knows what may have happened to those Russians but I am sure they will have held my grandfather, Maxl, as they called him in their heart.
It’s a compelling song. Played and sung in a laconic style (loved by the stoics), it says to me that the river of tears has flowed and now, after so long, there will be no more. But the insistent beat, pushing the song forward, says that the heart will stay true and always remember.
Thank you for sharing it.
We had all better get used to having less friends with us soon enough.
Zuckerberg in geopolitical a-bomb says he won’t be getting himself vaccinated against Covid-19 due to real fears such will permently alter his DNA and RNA.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-takes-anti-vax-stance-in-violation-of-his-own-platforms-new-policy/5737697
Nah, once a Jew, always a Jew. lol. Once a Christian, always a Christian!
Actually, I very much disagree with *both* of these statements
Jew or Christian is not a condition, not part of our nature
these are CHOICES and that is why they are legitimate objects of scrutiny and even criticism.
My 2cts
The Saker
Yes, but these choices are mostly always forever. “Ze zijn met de paplepel ingegoten” is what the Dutch say. ;-)
In the words of the Bard Игорь Морозов: “As far as I am concerned, I have made some important discoveries from the long-standing history of my first love, my first song, my first drink, my first cigarette, and my first “public recognition of my poetic talent.”
First – Song is a state of mind. In a calm state, the soul does not “give birth” to anything. We need emotional turmoil (war, love, preferably unrequited, etc.).
The second one – Before you create another “netlenka”, think about whether it is necessary for anyone else besides you, a loved one? That is, whether this topic can excite any other human soul that empathizes with your immortal longing for empathy.
Third (for people over 18) – Moderate doses of alcohol have a beneficial effect on the creative process. It liberates the imagination, you know, and reminds us that the Russian language is truly great and beautiful. Just do not overdo it, otherwise you may get the endless and tedious song “Drunk cowboy”…
Before I ended up in Afghanistan as a fighter of one of the sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Cascade team of the KGB of the USSR (later Vympel), i.e. until April 1982, I wrote songs and poems I don’t know how many, I never counted. On a variety of topics. Sometimes in very different places, in very different performances, I hear some of those songs. I’m happy, but what else…
Playing the guitar, if you can call it a game, was taught to me by my old friend Lyonka Tikhonov, with whom we prepared for admission to the Bauman Moscow state technical University all spring and summer of 1969.”
LINK
Meant to add the translation to the middle photo:
“At a military training camp at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. On the left, the most grimy one is Igor.”
Maybe the one on the right is Lyonka?
Sometimes a publisher is willing to pass along a message to an author:
Вышла новая книга песен и стихов Игоря Морозова “Автомат и гитара”
Москва: Перо, 2018. – 255 с. : ил.; 21 см.;
ISBN 978-5-001-22481-5
В книгу песен и стихов «Автомат и гитара» вошли лучшие произведения известного поэта и автора-исполнителя Игоря Морозова, написанные с конца 1960-х годов по настоящее время.
Это и хорошо знакомые и любимые песни: «Автомат и гитара», «Прощайте, горы», «Дождь в горах Афгана», «Батальонная разведка», и лирика, и произведения на военно-исторические темы…
The following book was found in the Russian state library:
Automaton and guitar [ Text]: songs and poems / Igor Morozov. Moscow: Pero publ., 2018. 255 p.: ill.; 21 cm.; ISBN 978-5-001-22481-5
Pero Publishing House»
+7 495 973-72-28
https://pero-print.ru/
thank you!
maybe somebody in Moscow can get one for me
I will ask around
cheers
No Saker, I do not mind that you posted this memory of yours. Very precious. Like spices, these memories should be revealed judicially.
I was born in Melbourne, Australia, 70 odd years ago, to Ukrainian refugees that were brought to Australia after the War. They were selected from Displaced Persons Camps in Germany. Mum was born in Maykop. She survived the Holomodor because she had food vouchers, as she was involved with the T-34 tank design team. Dad was from Odessa, ‘folks deutsch’, a journalist, who witnessed the atrocities that were inflicted on the Ukraine, and as a consequence he hated Soviets and particularly Jews, until his death. Like many Ukies, he thought that Hitler was a better bet, but it didn’t turn out well, though he did have a good rest of his life here in Oz, so it ended well.
I visited Russia in September 1984, with Mum (Dad was too scared to go) a week after Reagan made that joke about “bombing Russia in a few minutes”. Mum and I sat in the breakfast room in the Hotel National, looking across at the Kremlin, wondering if that was to be the last thing I was to see on Earth.
My parents were the product of Communism, atheists, but sent me to the local Orthodox Church and Russian House, which had Religious and Cultural teaching.
What I found fascinating was that, when I went to Moscow, I had a profound feeling that I had come home.
I loved the place, and would love to visit with my Australian wife, but alas there is a profound lack of funds.
Listening to Igor’s song only confirms that my heart is in the Russia I never really experienced.
Mum was forced by circumstances to leave two sons in Russia when she got swept up in the German retreat from Stalingrad. She only found out that they were still alive in the mid 60’s. I met both. One was a Major in the Army, who was ‘quarantined’ when the brass found out that he had his Mum in the ‘West’. Lost his rank.
I could go on, but the point is that there must be something in my DNA that connects me with Russia. I really ‘grok’ Igor’s Russian lyrics. Translations are necessary, but do not convey the soul connection.
Thanks, Saker.
Somehow being abroad makes Russians “real Russians”. All my live in SU and afterwards in RF I never thought about my identity. Only after going abroad as per professional routs in an international company, I have suddenly confront with the topic. And yes, I know where my home is.
Correct.
In fact, it is very hard to be and remain Russian while away from Russia.
It is even harder for those of us born abroad.
But, as my mother used to tell me, “if a bird comes to life in a barn, it still will remain a bird, not a horse”.
The hardest thing for me right now is feeling the ugly hatred of the western doxa: is it as evil as it is stupid. Many Russians now say “we are the Jews of the 21st century”.
What is sure is that the western powers that be hate Russia and everything Russian no less than Hitler did.
This is sad and fantastically dangerous.
Anyway, thanks for your comment!
Think, that’s we, the readers, who should thank you for your texts, thoughts, your stand and effort.
Dear Saker,
excuse me, but by “western powers” you do actually mean the practically non-nationalistic economically-predatorial elites, who have abundantly shown in very recent years their hatred for their own citizens and culture, or their ignorant followers.
Therefore, regarding the first type of people, we are in the same boat, regardless of cultural and anthropological background, Russian or otherwise.
As for the second type, people who find solace in the hatred of persons and things they do not know are weaker than those who don’t.
Excellent post. Thank you.
Genius song and what a story, thanks for your contributions, my life is so much richer for them!
Very thought- and memory-provoking posting! But is it true that all these “elite operatives and soldiers” were only of Slavic Russian extraction. Not even Tartars or Tuvans or other Turkio-tartaric minorieteies? End no Russian or Yiddish or Georgian Jews (meybe even formally atheistic suche-a-muches with Bolshevik alliagances)? Here in the Nordic countries , we have heard of ethnic Karelian, Norwegian, Kola penninsula Sapmi and Ingermanland special operatives for many a year from more than fifty years ago,
And no Persians or Central Asian (Dushambe) operatives at all ever???
On a lighter side: Two of the most impressive and able Russian (Or Ukrainia semi-Jew) young women i ever encountered in Soviet and post-Soviet times had photoes of themselves posted in their sleeping quarters. Them in uniforms sporting the same shoulder/upper arm insignia of Your dear missed friend.
And one more quastion: How many of these elite fighters and infiltrators can have emigrated (maybe with their sposes) to the area of Palestine calling itself “State of Israël” after the Yeltsin times began??
Absolute nonsense. All the nationalities of the USSR were represented in the military in general and in special forces. There was even a “Muslim Battalion” (look it up).
Kind regards
Thank You, Saker: That was exactly the answer I was looking for. Please clarify how the Russian Language (or other languages of the Russian Federation) distinguishes between being a Russian Citizen and being of ethnic Russian extraction (i.e. Russian-speaking and having Orthodox forbears/ancestors) . Do present-day official identity papers or passports still indicate the ethnic or religious belonging of the person carrying it, as I believe they did in Soviet times?
TheSaker, What is your take on the current situation in Ukraine?
Three TV broadcast channels were revoked of their licenses, most of which were more open than others in political perspective. Political party of Shariy is literally being forced to quit their ambitions etc.
Any thoughts?
yes, my next analysis should be about this ugly mess
kind regards
Уважаемый Димитрий, посмотрите через яндекс в русский википедия и найдёте его.
Хорошей встречи вам обоим
С уважением
———————
Google-translate – the mod
Dear Dimitri, look through Yandex in Russian Wikipedia and you will find it.
Have a nice meeting with you both
respectfully
Дорогой Друг
Там про Игоря написано, но нет информации о как на него выйти…
С уважением
Андрей (The Saker)
I guess thats what they invented music for. From the heart. Thx. Russian soil feels a lil different. No idea why.
Because it is filled with innocent blood, millions of martyrs and saints…
Spasiba. One of your best
Precious memory, Saker, thank you for sharing. Please do continue!
Wonderful song , written from the heart
Here is something about your friend which I accidently found while looking up the bard tradition in Russia. It is about Mr. Igor Morozov and his music while in Afghanistan, The segment on him is about one quarter down the page.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/russians-in-afghanistan-part-ii/
I have no idea of the website’s affiliation.
I have been invited to several bard “individual concerts” by Russian friends. I don’t speak Russian but wanted to see what they are like. There is nothing like this musical tradition in the West. And much the less for the West where music seems to be born out of commercial studios.
“And much the less for the West where music seems to be born out of commercial studios”
Yes, the music in the west is determined by corporate moguls who decide what will be popular, etc. If you want to be a successful musician, you have to be a slave at their hands and sing the songs they give you. So the best musicians usually remain undiscovered and largely unheard or recognized. Such is our culture.
Very poignant. Mobilization of the defiant human spirit which embraces truth with love of “enemy.”
Thank you, you did right by all of us by deciding to post this video and tell us your related history!
Thank you for sharing this!
The emotion, the actuality of the feeling(s), is deeply moving, especially juxtaposed against daily reminders of so much created falsehood.
I recall one time you posted Bill Evans,’ “You Must Believe in Spring.” Anymore, all I need to do is recall the piece in my mind and I am deeply moved and present to a certain current of life. The soul has its own way of communicating.
🙏🏻
Dear Saker, a question: You stated, “PGU KGB officers had nothing to do with dissidents, repressions, ideologies or Gulags”. But then who did all that? Didn’t PGU have any coordinated operations with KGB for example to help spy expat dissidents, or such?
Best regards.
Bravo Saker Beautiful article & video. Those of us who are smart enough & blessed enough can cut through all the smoke & mirrors & transcend politics to always have meaningful & heartfelt love & connections to our Homeland.
Splendid. Well written, and touching.
Mr. Morozov looks like a guy that would be great to hang out with. He would fit in well at my local neighborhood bar. Why were we enemies with Russia in the first place?
I saw that someone found his VK page. You probably already seen this, but it leads to a Youtube channel that hosts Morozov’s songs. Also, there’s this Wikipedia page and a pic of Morozov in Afghanistan, there’s an e-mail address below and a link to that same Youtube channel.
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB:KGB_special_operative_Igor_Morozov_on_the_armored_vehicle.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/c/%D0%9E%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9%D0%A0%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81/videos