Historical beast unveiled in raw form
In a world where words hold significant power, Tatar author Dinara Rasuleva uses her pen to challenge the status quo and reclaim her cultural identity. Born and raised in Russia, Rasuleva's formative years were marked by the suppression of her native Tatar language, as Russian was the only language allowed in school.
This struggle with identity is poignantly captured in Rasuleva's essay, which forms part of the anthology titled "#LOSTLINGUAL." The book concludes with a powerful anthology titled "No! - Voices from Russia against the War," published by Rowohlt Verlag, a hardcover collection of 384 pages that retails for 28 €.
Lebedew, in the foreword, writes, "Words may not heal wounds, resurrect the dead, or punish criminals, but they are significant because the state power in Russia persecutes those who speak the truth." The anthology, as suggested by its title, is an attempt to counter the propaganda and violence of the Russian state with the written word.
The anthology features various voices and perspectives, many of which are being introduced to a German-speaking audience for the first time. It serves as a platform for Russian voices opposing the war, challenging official narratives, and highlighting dissent within Russia while expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Rasuleva's essay provides a decolonial perspective, discussing the loss and rediscovery of her mother tongue, Tatar. In 2022, Rasuleva began reclaiming her mother tongue, writing poems in Tatar. She hopes that by many reclaiming their mother tongues, the cultures and languages of oppressed indigenous peoples will equal those of the colonizers.
Rasuleva's journey serves as a testament to the power of words and the resilience of the human spirit. Her work not only challenges the narrative of assimilation but also encourages others to reclaim their cultural identities and languages, fostering a more diverse and inclusive world.
In this context, Rasuleva's work, focusing on reclaiming her cultural identity through her native Tatar language, intertwines with her lifestyle, creating a narrative that employs books as a means of advocacy and self-expression. This collection of essays, "#LOSTLINGUAL," along with the anthology "No! - Voices from Russia against the War," serves as a significant platform for entertainment, enlightenment, and cultural resistance within the realm of literature.
