A Debate Over the National Identity of War and Peace
A recent controversy has sparked debate in Russia over the national identity of Leo Tolstoy’s literary masterpiece, War and Peace. The discussion began when an expert claimed that parts of the novel were written in French, suggesting a tenuous connection to Russian culture. This assertion was quickly challenged by Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, who dismissed the claim as false.
The controversy originated from an interview video featuring Elizaveta Likhacheva, a former director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and an art historian. In the interview, Likhacheva stated that “half of War and Peace was written in French” and argued that the novel had only an indirect link to Russian culture.
Zakharova responded to these claims on social media on July 6. She pointed out that only 3.31% of the novel is in French, emphasizing that this percentage is too small to suggest any significant disconnection from Russian culture. She added, “Even basic calculations show it cannot be deemed unrelated to Russian culture.”
She further explained that the use of French in the novel reflects the historical context of the time, when many Russian nobles preferred French over their native language. Zakharova concluded her response with a quote from Tolstoy: “We overcome such trials with great victories and achievements.”
Parliamentary Reactions
The debate also reached the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament. Nikolai Burylyayev, a deputy and People’s Artist of Russia, told TASS on July 7 that the French language was integrated into Russian life during the period depicted in War and Peace. He emphasized that the novel is “a 100% Russian novel.”
War and Peace, set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in the early 19th century, is considered one of Tolstoy’s most important works and a foundational text in Russian literature. It is widely celebrated for its depth, complexity, and insight into the human condition.
Political Implications
Some analysts believe that Zakharova’s defense of the novel may be aimed at uniting Russians during a time of political and military uncertainty. In her social media post, she highlighted the capabilities of soldiers involved in the “special operation” in Ukraine, contrasting them with “experts who shamelessly answer without having read War and Peace.”
Zakharova also praised Vladislav Golovin, a soldier who lost his left leg to a mine during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. She noted that she had personally witnessed how highly Golovin and his achievements are regarded by troops.
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