Historical Current Affairs Analysis

You are cordially invited to a talk to be given by Mr. Andrew Knopfelmacher entitled ‘The Political Thought of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’. Andrew is a regular at the Historical and Current Affairs (HCAA) talks. He has previously given a talk on his late father’s (Dr. Frank Knopfelmacher) life-long struggle against totalitarianism. Andrew has given a talk to HCAA on totalitarianism.

 

HCAA is therefore very honoured that Andrew will give a talk on a true giant of the twentieth century and a heroic opponent of totalitarianism, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008). Andrew has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Eastern and Central European émigrés, writers, political leaders and their contribution to resisting totalitarianism.

 

The speaker will argue that Solzhenitsyn’s importance cannot be overstated because he defied the very source of communist totalitarianism, the USSR at the height of its Marxist dictatorship. It is often overlooked that Solzhenitsyn’s courageous stance was not always universally admired in the West. So-called liberals such as the American writer Arthur Schlesinger (1917- 2008) attacked Solzhenitsyn’s anti-communism.

 

Note: New Venue -

 

Andrew’s talk will be held:

 

7:30 PM on Wednesday the 27th of May at:

 

The Golden Triangle Restaurant

 

123 Park Street South Yarra

 

(Corner of Park Street and Domain Road)

 

Mel ways Reference Map 58 B2

 

By special arrangement with the Golden Triangle Restaurant the function room will be available for HCAA regulars to meet on the night from 6:30 PM onward. Although refreshments will be served the restaurant’s management would be appreciative if guests purchased a drink and/or a meal.

 

Although communism has collapsed, the nihilism which gave rise to it still remains. Andrew will therefore draw attention to how and why Solzhenitsyn’s contribution to opposing the evils of totalitarianism remains relevant.

 

RSVP: Monday the 25th of May 2009

 

Contacts (Listed in alphabetical order):

 

David Bennett (03) 9898 3629

 

David Cowling (03) 9584 6247

 

Klara Doroszlay (03) 9889 6014

 

Jim Hewat (03) 9306 4318

 

Andrew Knopfelmacher (03) 9529 7341

 

Tom Rigg (03) 9366 6168