RUSSIA
In an exclusive excerpt from a new book, political prisoner Alexei Navalny, who died in jail, reveals his thoughts on life, family, and the country he called home
SIX MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH in an Arctic penal colony, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny wrote of his hopes for his country, his love for his family and for literature, and the maxim that shaped his thinking. “I believe that Russia will be happy and free,” he said. “And I do not believe in death.”
The long-time critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his thoughts in response to a 13-item questionnaire sent to political prisoners across Russia by Boris Akunin, one of the country’s most popular and long-exiled writers. He published the compiled responses in an e-book on his website in October. In January, Russia declared Akunin a “foreign agent” and he was added to a register of “terrorists and extremists” by its justice ministry over his objections to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
This exclusive excerpt, from the English translation edited by Joanne Turnbull with Nikolai Formozov, will be published this month. Navalny’s death, at age 47, was officially confirmed on the morning of February 17.
Who are you? From the prison authorities, I constantly hear this disgruntled phrase: “Hmm. You seem to be in a good mood today...” So I guess it’s like this: I am a political prisoner who very much misses his family, work and colleagues, but who keeps in good spirits. I am also, of course, a reader. I spend most of my day with a book in my hands.
What do you believe in? In God and science. I believe that we live in a non-deterministic universe and have free will. I believe that we are not alone in this universe. I believe that our deeds and actions will be evaluated. I believe in true love. I believe that Russia will be happy and free. And I do not believe in death.
What do you rely on to make the most important decisions—reason or a gut feeling? There’s no c o ntradiction here; it’s a false alternative. Evolution has designed us so that we don’t have to think long and hard when we see a snake in our bed. Nor will we make instant decisions about how to build a house that snakes can’t slither into.
There’s a marvelous book about this called Thinking, Fast and Slow by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman. I highly recommend it.
What is the main thing in life? To be useful to society and to remain a good person.
What brings you the most joy? Simple family moments. Like going somewhere together in the car. One of us starts goofing around and singing, and the rest join in. And we can’t stop until we’ve sung a bunch of songs. And the love and happiness overflow.
What most saddens you? The unwillingness of many people to think, their incomprehension of basic caus
