Concert for the centenary of the Russian Revolution 1917-2017

This year marks 100 years since the Russian Revolution. It is the first state installed by workers and peasants. Globally it is termed as the October Revolution.

The revolution was the logical outcome of the crisis ridden capitalist societies. It was V.I. Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Party of Russia who creatively used the teachings of Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels in making the revolution a success. 

Russia was involved in the First World War in 1914. The whole of Europe was fighting one another for colonies. Britain, France Germany, USA were all involved in the war. Russia controlled the whole of central Asia. Tsar of Russia was sending the peasants to the battle front. The soldiers were fed up with war. Russia was losing the war with Germany. The Bolshevik party called for the overthrow of tsar. A provisional government was formed in February 1917. This was represented by the bourgeois and the landowners. Very soon people were fed up with this government as it was not meeting the requirements of the majority. At the same time a new form of peoples organisations evolved – Soviets. They were represented by workers, peasants and soldiers. As the crisis in Russia grew the Bolshevik party was selflessly working to rally the masses around. Lenin convinced the Bolshevik party that the second phase of the revolution should move on. And all power to the Soviets. The Soviets in Petrograd were able to take control of the winter palace followed by Moscow. Later the whole of Russia was taken control by Soviets.

The Bolshevik party was rallying people around the slogan peace, bread and land. The first decree of the revolutionary government was to takeover all land with livestock belonging to large land owners, church and monasteries, and place them under soviets. Russia sent delegates to start a dialogue to end the war with all parties concerned. The revolutionary government took immediate steps to improve education and healthcare free for all its citizens. It was the first country to give women voting rights, maternity benefits and equal pay for men and women.

The examples set by the Russian Revolution, was an inspiration to countries which wanted to be free from colonial oppression. China, Korea, Vietnam and many countries used the examples set by Soviet Russia to improve the living conditions of their people. Although Soviet Union is dissolved the standards and examples, sacrifices made by these people is young in experience.

A concert is organised on 21 October from 6 p.m. at the Vihara Maha Devi Park to commemorate this great event. Some of Sri Lanka’s leading singers Amarasiri Pieris, Jagath Wickramasinghe, Ivor Denis, Sandhya Bulathsinhala, Sanjeewani Weerasinha, Indra Chapa will give free performances. The Victor Hara music band of Kandy, Ernest and Evergeen and many bands will perform followed by dance and dramas. It will be truly a Sri Lankan tribute to the Great Russian Revolution. All are welcome.