Russian Culture in Uzbekistan

David MacFadyen is a professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of several books on many aspects of Russian literature and culture, including the poetry of Joseph Brodsky, classic Soviet prose, popular song across the twentieth century, comedic cinema, and animated film.

• Preface: Big, Eventful Empires and Andijan’s Quiet Tragedy 1. Before Russia and Uzbekistan: Subtle, Suppressed Affinities 2. Troubles with Islam and "Ecstasy or Self-Oblivion" 3. Folk Music and Dance: Plaintive Sobbing or Fiery Virtuosity? 4. Introducing Russian Classical Music to Central Asia 5. The Onset of Russian Literature’s Kindly Genius 6. Simplifying One Thousand Years of Uzbek Poetry 7. Today’s Culture and the Ironic Benefits of the Internet 8. Conclusion: Eventful Encounters with a Horror Vacui

'Amongst MacFadyen's conclusions is that the tragedy of Russian experience in Central Asia is that the gap of experience is the truth, and not a barbarous falsehood; the embodiment of 'death and destruction' that empire sees beyond its borders is part of the very diversity it purports to exemplify.'- Oxfam's Development Resources Review