| StorageSite | UCL Institute of Education |
| Description | Journal 2 contains:
The first page is always devoted to a letter from the editorial staff to their readers.
In this instance the staff are not sure whether they will be able to continue issuing this magazine, but are reassuring their readers that they are looking for help to support the magazine.
10 June 1920: This introductory page tackles the recent political discourse on the question of the recolonization of Lemnos Island. The leaders of each party are discussing their decision with regional committees. An important paragraph of the Russian constitution would limit the conflicts between parties, but it is difficult to predict what will happen in our governmental life. No one is ever sure of who is right or who is guilty and who is not to be judged. The author suggests that on the one hand the colonisation will improve the economic, national and political survival of the island. On the other hand leaders of the parliament look firstly at the population's opinion and secondly if they can with Russia's power retain their hold on the island under the current political situation.
Harif-Bei: The following article is dedicated to the author's experiences in the emigration camp of Harif-Bei. Nicholas Hans describes the structure of the camp and its life within. In one instance he describes the view from his flat there and he stresses the fact that he will never forget it. These two pages are framed with blue and yellow Greek wave ornamental vectors.
On the harm/damage of Tobacco: In this section Nicholas Hans tackles the question of the harmfulness of tobacco and uses it as a metaphor for the poisoning of society. Nicholas Hans mentions that this question has already been argued by Socrates who said: "don't smoke joss sticks" and by Chekov in his dissertation "On the Breed of Tobacco", which is one of the most fundamental work in this field. Tobacco also marks certain types of illnesses, such as the so-called "lupus vulgaris", dementia praecox and progressive paralyse, asserting that dyslexia and atrophy are connected to the addiction to nicotine. Remedies given include distillate water. All these concepts have their own symbolic meaning regarding the consumption of tobacco. In this sense the author says that he will provide a few historical examples on the harmfulness of tobacco and its influences, for instance Alexander the Great. He adds that his country (Russia) has already been damaged by nicotine, through the abuse of tobacco and by the introduction of the capital punishment. This horrible habit has poisoned the Russian society and part of its habits. He hopes that there will be some "progressive decisive steps so that humanity does not die of tobacco smoke". These two pages are framed with drawings of two pipes and two cigars at the top, and of match boxes and a brazier and two golden cigarette holders at the bottom.
News and Rumours from Constantinople: The following section lists a series of news and rumours from Constantinople and recollections on the time Nicholas Hans spent there.
The penultimate page is devoted to a full-page drawing on a kitchen with a big black stove on the left hand side and five people (one man, three women and a child) each depicted carrying food in their hands, queuing behind it. The drawing is framed by other drawings of pans and pots. At the bottom of the page are drawn a spade, an axe and two buckets.
The writing in the centre reads "Daily struggle of existence"/ "Daily survival struggle".
Charades and Rebuses: As in the previous issue of this magazine the last page contains charades and rebuses.
In this issue some of the drawn rebuses portrays a map of Italy and a whale. The tile is surrounded by a couple of clowns' heads and colourful balls.
The back cover of the magazine represents a night view of Constantinople.
The panorama is surmounted by the sea, the port and its ships and the domes of the city's mosques. Above the city a crescent moon shines over the whole scenery.
The inscription at the bottom recites: "Your absence?".
Note: These magazines have been translated and described by one of our volunteers.
The information given is the opinion of the author/s of the magazine and we have tried to capture the spirit of the publications as much as possible.
If you have any further questions about these magazines or would like to see the originals in Russia please get in touch with us. |