Krytyka i nostalgia

This article examines key political and artistic trends in Russia during the 1990s, as well as the shifting perspectives on that decade – ranging from nostalgia to criticism. Today, critical views seem to dominate, especially regarding the political elites of that time, whom opposition leader Alexei Navalny accused of “selling Russia.” However, his critique sparked opposition from some contemporary dissidents, who view the 1990s as a period of freedom. The cultural scene of the decade also resists simple classification, partly due to the surprising connections between the underground movement and the National Bolshevik ideology, which is now considered far-right. Debates about the 1990s remain unresolved: Was it a time of transformation, the conclusion of the 20th century, or the beginning of new possibilities?