Next Year in Moscow 2: A beautiful life

Next Year in Moscow 2: A beautiful life

Author: The Economist March 4, 2023 Duration: 34:39

A decade ago Russia's middle class was larger and richer than it had ever been. “Russians are OK” was the title of a popular YouTube channel. But Vladimir Putin’s return to power sparked unprecedented protests as two very different visions of Russia vied for dominance. 


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In the eight-part series Next Year in Moscow, Arkady Ostrovsky of The Economist charts a profound diaspora. He travels from European capitals to cities in the Middle East, sitting down with Russians who felt compelled to leave their homeland following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These are not casual emigrants; they are artists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and free-thinkers for whom the war shattered not just peace but their very vision for Russia's future. This podcast listens as they grapple with a painful duality: the practical work of building new lives in exile, while wrestling with the emotional and political task of preserving their hopes for their country from afar. Their deeply personal narratives, told with clarity and depth, become a crucial lens for understanding a larger, agonizing mystery. Through intimate conversations, the series pieces together not just why this devastating conflict began, but how the lives and choices of these displaced individuals might hint at the contours of its eventual end. It is a moving chronicle of loss, resilience, and uncertain homecoming, asking whether a different Russia can be imagined from outside its borders. Each episode of this news-focused podcast offers a vital, human perspective on a story that continues to reshape the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 12

Next Year in Moscow
Podcast Episodes
Next Year in Moscow: Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:48
When the shelling of Ukraine began a year ago, free-thinking Russians faced a fateful choice: lie low, resist or flee. Hundreds of thousands decided to leave. For them the war meant the future of Russia itself was now in…