Radio 3 Celebrating The Russian Revolution

[Metaphysicalus]

Apparently Radio 3 must be now full of Reds. They have a 2 week celebration of the Russian Revolution taking place there with all things October Revolution in music, and commentary.
Considering that the same Revolution was the cause of much cruelty, World upheaval and hardship for many millions of people I'm wondering if it is prudent for Radio 3 to commemorate such a thing.

[Hopkirk]

Is it a celebration, or an excuse to air music and discuss art associated with it?

I don't know but I suspect the latter.

I am also no historian, but do you feel the population should not have rebelled?

[aelmpvw]

as an avid radio 3 listener i'm not aware of any celebration going on

[mikey4444]

Metaphysicalus

I have been asked not to use the word "drivel" on here any more, so I will use one of its synonyms instead.

Gibberish.

[naomi24]

Do you think it should be celebrated, Mikey - and if so, since the regime, after a relatively short time, collapsed, why?

[mikey4444]

As far as I can see, the occasion is being marked and commemorated, not celebrated.

Radio Three is also commemorating Martin Luther, for his part in the Protestant Reformation, 500 years ago this year.

Should our premier serious Radio station ignore that as well ?

[naomi24]

The BBC certainly has a lot of commemorating planned. Not only Radio 3 but in several other areas too. In fact the BBC has announced a 'Russian-themed season'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/russia-october-revolution-centenary

[mikey4444]

naomi....and what is wrong with that ?

[Metaphysicalus]

Gosh! I didn't realise that it would start a civil war on AB. To answer the question do I think they should not have rebelled; Yes I do, and wish they had sought another means of change. The crooks and charlatans who took over after the rebellion were much more brutal to their citizens than the Tsars ever were. Commemorate, by the way Smartie Pants 4444, means the same thing as celebrate.

[mikey4444]

Smartie Pants 4444 here !

Perhaps we could start a special Childrens version of AB, so that you can use phrases like that.

Nobody is denying that the Russian Revolution produced problems, but, as you have acknowledged, the previous regime of rule by an un-elected and disinterested Monarchy wasn't famous for their fair treatment of the millions of ordinary Russians either.

Radio Three is our premier serious Radio station, and to ignore such a cataclysmic historical occasion would not be doing its job properly.

This November, is the 100 anniversary of the ending of the First World War, in which many millions died, and the seeds of many other 20th Century wars were sown, not least of all the Second World War.

I trust you would be happy if the BBC ignored that as well ?

[Buenchico]

If you start to look at the background behind artistic creations you could end up depriving the world of a great deal.

For example, I loathe and detest religion in all its forms (and Christianity in particular) but I don't object to the BBC broadcasting carols from King's College, Cambridge at Christmas. Neither would I want to see the singing of Handel's Messiah banned because it 'celebrates Christianity'.

So I see nothing wrong with having a series of programmes linked to a historic event.

[douglas9401]

"Radio Three is our premier serious Radio station"

Some might say Radio 4, 3 is a bit sparse if you take out the music.

[mikey4444]

Really ? a bit sparse you say ?

But what is the alternative to Radio 3 and Radio 4 Dougie ?

[douglas9401]

I gave Radio 4 as an alternative to Radio 3, please control your tangents.

[mikey4444]

Dougie....can't agree about Radio Three, although that is radio station mentioned in the OP.

[Hopkirk]

Commemorate is not the same as celebrate.

We commemorate those who were killed in wars, but don't celebrate their deaths.

[jourdain2]

Lots about 1917 on R4 as well. I'm enjoying it and have learned

[jourdain2]

^^^ quite a lot. (Grrrrrrrr) A big difference between celebrating and Commerating.

[jourdain2]

^^^Commemorating - what's wrongwiththissite?

[Metaphysicalus]

Grrrrr! Bah! Tch! Random House Webster's College Dictionary: Celebrate. To observe, or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities. Do I think that WW1 should not be commemorated? I think that the people who lost their lives in it should be remembered and honoured - not those who instigated that needless war.

[Khandro]

There have been several excellent programmes on BBC4 TV too, not "celebrating", but being informative on the politics and art of the period including a showing of Eisenstein's famous silent film; October 10 days that shook the world.